Efficacy and Safety of Infliximab for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Japanese Patients: A Retrospective Study of 11 Cases.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) such as infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab have been shown to be efficacious not only for rheumatoid arthritis but also for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). However, only a limited number of reports regarding the effect of TNFi on AS in Japanese population have been published. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated all 11 patients (8 males and 3 females) with AS who were treated with IFX. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up period of 19 months, the mean BASDAI decreased from 4.7 ± 2.2 to 1.7 ± 1.2 and the serum CRP level decreased from 1.62 ± 1.94 mg/dl to 0.23 ± 0.45 mg/dl. There was no case of serious infection or anaphylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that IFX is efficacious and safe for AS in Japanese patients.