Journal
RHEUMATOLOGY
Volume 44, Issue 12, Pages 1555-1558Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kei085
Keywords
ankylosing spondylitis; spondyloarthropathies; infliximab; anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Objective. To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of reducing the infliximab dose interval to 6 weeks in spondyloarthropathy patients not responding to 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks. Methods. After 30 weeks of infliximab therapy, 25 patients were classified as responders [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI) < 4 cm or ESR < 30 mm/h and CRP < 5 mg/l, n=15; group A] or non-responders (patients who did not achieve the response established for group A; n=10; group B). Responders continued on 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks and non-responders decreased the dose interval to 6 weeks. BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), ESR, CRP and ankylosing spondylitis assessment (ASAS) criteria were used to assess response. Results. At 62 weeks, 11 of 15 patients (73.3%, 95% confidence interval=44.9-92.2%) from group A and three of 10 patients (30%, 95% confidence interval=6.7-65.2) from group B were responders (P=0.049). Eighty per cent (eight of 10 patients from group A) and 22.2% (two of 9 patients from group B) achieved 50% BASDAI improvement (P=0.023), and nine of 11 patients (81.8%) and four of 10 (40%) from groups A and B, respectively, reached ASAS20 at 62 weeks (P=0.08). Conclusion. Patients on infliximab 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks with persistent disease activity may benefit from reducing the dose interval to 6 weeks.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available