RESUMEN
AIM: To study a trend in active sacroiliitis (ASI) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) during different short-term regimens using etoricoxib (ET) 90 mg. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with axSpA, including 30 with ankylosing spondyloarthritis), and ASI (sacroiliac joint (SIJ) osteitis as evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging) were examined and then randomized to 2 groups: 1) 20 patients who took ET 90 mg four days or more a week; 2) 20 patients who received ET 90 mg 3 days or less a week. Osteitis was measured in 4 quadrants of each SIJ (0-3 scores). Its main criterion was considered to be a decrease in total osteitis activity (TOA) 12 week later. RESULTS: In all the patients (n = 40), TOA decreased from 6.5 (4; 9) to 2 (0; 5) scores (p < 0.0001). In Group 1 (n = 20), that reduced from 6.5 (4; 8.5) to 0 (0; 3) scores (p < 0.0001). In Group 2 (n = 20), that did from 6.5 (4; 10) to 4 (1; 8) scores (p = 0.49). At 12 weeks, in in Groups 1 and 2, the difference in final TOA achieved no statistical significance (p=0.056). In these groups, there were 19 (95%) and 14 (70%) treatment-responsive patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: The intake of ET 90 mg for 12-weeks is associated with a reduction in the degree of ASI in patients with axSpA. The use of ET 4 times or more a week is more effective in diminishing osteitis than that of ET 3 days or less.