Efficacy of etanercept on ankylosing spondylitis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. MethodsEighty-six patients were randomized into experiment group and control group (n=43). Patients in experiment group were treated with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and etanercept (25 mg, twice/week, subcutaneous injection in the upper arm), and those in control group were managed with NSAIDs and sulfasalazine. Reexaminations were performed after treatment for 3 months, and the prevalence of low back pain, time of morning stiffness, Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index(BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index(BASFI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were analysed, and the prevalence of adverse effects was observed. ResultsCompared with those at administration, the prevalences of low back pain significantly reduced (P0.05 or P0.01), the time of morning stiffness significantly decreased (P0.05), BASDAI and BASFI significantly improved, and ESR and CRP significantly decreased 3 months after treatment in both groups (P0.05). After treatment for three months, the clinical parameters in experiment group were more favourable than those in control group (P0.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of adverse effects between two groups (P0.05). Conclusion Etanercept has favourable short-term therapeutic effects on ankylosing spondylitis with minor adverse effects.