title: [Radiological progression and life quality analysis in ankylosing spondylitis patients using etanercept/methotrexate combination therapy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the relationship between the radiological progression and quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients using etanercept/methotrexate (MTX) combination therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 153 AS cases fulfilling the 1984 modified New York diagnostic criteria were reviewed. All patients received radiological evolution at baseline and during a follow-up period. Radiological progression, clinical remission and life quality were recorded and analyzed for their relations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The radiological assessments of mSASSS (modified Stoke ankylosing spondylitis spine score) were recorded at baseline, 3, 6 & 12 months after treatment. Life quality assessments were recorded with SF (short-form)-36 simultaneously. No significant radiological improvement was observed at the end points. However, most patients reported a significant improvement of life quality after a combination therapy of etanercept/MTX. BASDAI (Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index), C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate demonstrated similar trends. With no relevance with mSASSS, life quality was significantly correlated with disease activity and pain control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination therapy of etanercept/MTX greatly improves life quality in AS patients. Yet clinical remission and pain control offer no hint of a suspension of radiological progression. Routine radiological assessment is required throughout the follow-up period of AS even if life quality index reaches a high level.
authors: Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Fan
authors: F
authors: Lian
authors: Jia-ping
authors: JP
authors: Li
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Chen
authors: Xiu-yan
authors: XY
authors: Yang
authors: Nian-sheng
authors: NS
authors: Yang
authors: Jian-yong
authors: JY
authors: Yang
authors: Quan-fei
authors: QF
authors: Meng