The impact of tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors on radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis

Nigil Haroon, Robert D. Inman, Thomas J. Learch, Michael H. Weisman, Minjae Lee, Mohammad H. Rahbar, Michael M. Ward, John D. Reveille, Lianne S. Gensler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

406 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) inhibitors on progressive spinal damage in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods All AS patients meeting the modified New York criteria who had been monitored prospectively and had at least 2 sets of spinal radiographs a minimum of 1.5 years apart were included in the study (n = 334). The patients received standard therapy, which included nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and TNFα inhibitors. Radiographic severity was assessed by the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS). Patients with a rate of AS progression that was ≥1 mSASSS unit/year were considered progressors. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were done. Propensity score matching and sensitivity analysis were performed. A zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) model was used to analyze the effect of TNFα inhibitors on the change in the mSASSS with varying followup periods. Potential confounders, such as disease activity (as assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, HLA-B27 positivity, sex, age at onset, smoking burden (number of pack-years), and baseline damage, were included in the model. Results TNFα inhibitor treatment was associated with a 50% reduction in the odds of progression, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.52 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.30-0.88, P = 0.02). Patients with a delay of >10 years in starting therapy were more likely to experience progression as compared to those who started earlier (OR 2.4 [95% CI 1.09-5.3], P = 0.03). In the ZINB model, the use of TNFα inhibitors significantly reduced disease progression when the gap between radiographs was >3.9 years. The protective effect of TNFα inhibitors was stronger after propensity score matching. Conclusion Treatment with TNFα inhibitors appears to reduce radiographic progression in AS patients, especially with early initiation and with longer duration of followup.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2645-2654
Number of pages10
JournalArthritis and rheumatism
Volume65
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2013
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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