title: A systematic MEDLINE analysis of therapeutic approaches in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder involving the sacroiliac joints (SIJs), spine and less frequently the peripheral joints. Traditionally, it is well recognised that AS is a challenging disease to manage due to the lack of effective therapeutic options. Current evidence would suggest this has changed and there are now a number of therapies available that provide persistent control of inflammatory symptoms with improvement in daily function. NSAIDs remain the first step in patient treatment. Sulphasalazine may be effective in peripheral arthritis and there are emerging data to support its use in early inflammatory back pain. Studies have shown that pamidronate and steroid injection into SIJ have a symptom-modifying effect in AS. Current data suggest that anti-TNF treatment promises early benefit which is likely to continue in the longer term. Treatment with biologics should be considered sooner rather than later in the management of AS.
authors: Department of Rheumatology, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust, Taunton, TA1 5DA, UK. lesliegohs2000@yahoo.com
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Goh
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Samanta
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077339:Leflunomide; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D000077268:Pamidronate; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007555:Isoxazoles; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D013256:Steroids; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000077339:Leflunomide; D000068800:Etanercept; D000077268:Pamidronate; D008727:Methotrexate