Humira and ankylosing spondylitis | Arthritis Information

van der Heijde DM et al. – In this study adalimumab (Humira) significantly improved disease activity, patient-reported physical function, and health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS); these benefits were maintained over 3 years of treatment.

Methods

An evaluation of 3-year impact of adalimumab on patient-reported physical function and HRQOL outcomes in pts with active AS
ATLAS is an ongoing 5-yr study that included an initial 24-wk randomized period, followed by open-label extension treatment with adalimumab
Clinical and HRQOL data collected for up to 3 yrs from ATLAS were used for these analyses
Pts were randomized to receive adalimumab 40 mg or placebo by sc injection every other wk
Physical function was assessed by BASFI and SF-36, Health Survey PCS, and Physical Function subscale scores
HRQOL was assessed using the AS Quality of Life (ASQOL) questionnaire
Disease activity was assessed by BASDAI

Results

315 pts; 91% participated in an open-label adalimumab treatment extension and 82% provided 3-yr outcome data
During the 24-wk double-blind phase, adalimumab-treated pts experienced:
- Improvement in the BASDAI, BASFI, ASQOL, and both the SF-36 PCS, and Physical Function subscale scores
- No improvement in the SF-36 Mental Component Summary score, and Mental Health subscale scores
Mean changes from baseline through 3 yrs of adalimumab treatment were significant for the BASDAI, BASFI, SF-36 PCS, and Physical Function
Comparable results were observed for other SF-36 scores and for the ASQOL