The research question explored in this study was whether the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in participants with ankylosing spondylitis was maintained during long-term therapy in routine clinical practice in Germany.
This was a postmarketing observational study (PMOS) for participants with insufficiently controlled, moderate to severe, active AS who were eligible for adalimumab therapy. Participants started treatment with adalimumab under normal clinical settings in Germany. Enrolled participants were followed during adalimumab therapy . Participants were assessed during regular clinic visits for up to 24 months and 359 clinicians (rheumatologists/orthopedists/general practitioners/internist) participated in the study. Since this was an observational trial, not all doctors followed the stated age limitations and some participants under the age of 18 were enrolled.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
4,681
Mean Change From Baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) Score
The BASDAI was a six question, participant-reported measure of overall disease activity that probed the level of fatigue, neck/back/hip pain, peripheral joint swelling and pain, localized tenderness, as well as morning stiffness severity and duration. It was scored on a numerical rating scale that ranged from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (severe symptoms), and the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was 1.0. The final BASDAI score was calculated using the following equation, in which 01 - 06 represents the question number: (BASDAI01 + BASDAI02 + BASDAI03 + BASDAI04 + BASDAI05/2 + BASDAI06\*1.25/2)/5. The scale for question 6 was reduced to 0-8 since BASDAI06 was multiplied by 1.25. Data are reported as the mean change total score from baseline (Month 0).
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Change From Baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) Score
The BASFI was a ten question, participant-reported measure that evaluated physical function. Each question was scored on a numerical rating scale that ranged from 0 (no functional impairment) to 10 (maximal impairment), and the MCID was 0.7. The mean of the ten questions was the total BASFI score. Data are reported as the mean change of total score from baseline (Month 0).
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Number of Participants With Drug-Related Adverse Events (AEs)
An adverse event/adverse experience was any reaction, side effect or other untoward event associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not the event was considered drug related. This included adverse events occurring from accidental or deliberate drug overdose, from drug abuse, or from drug withdrawal. Exacerbations of pre-existing conditions are also considered adverse events. Data presented are adverse events that are drug-related and are detailed in the adverse event section of this report.
Time frame: From signing of informed consent up to 24 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Mean Number of Involved Peripheral Joints
Peripheral joints were assessed by Tender Joint Counts (TJC) and Swollen Joint Counts (SJC), using pressure and joint manipulation during physical examination. Seventy-eight TJC and 76 SJC were evaluated and a score of 0 (not tender or swollen) or 1 (tender or swollen) was assigned for each joint with a higher total score indicating a greater number of involved joints.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants With Extraspinal Manifestations
Extraspinal manifestations (enthesitis, dactylitis, uveitis, psoriasis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)) were assessed by investigators and reported on the basis of their clinical evaluation and participant records.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Plasma concentrations of ESR were assessed as a marker of systemic inflammation that provided insights into the overall anti-inflammatory effect of rheumatologic therapies.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Plasma Concentrations of C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Plasma concentrations of CRP were assessed as a marker of systemic inflammation that provided insights into the overall anti-inflammatory effect of rheumatologic therapies.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis-Global (BAS-G) Score
The BAS-G was a participant-reported instrument with two items. In the first item, the participant rated the effect of their disease over the last week, and in the second item, the participant rated the effect of their disease over the previous 6 months. Each item of the BAS-G was scored on a scale ranging from 0 (no effect) to 10 (very severe effect). The mean of the two scores was the total BAS-G score and the MCID was 1.5.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Global Assessment of Disease Activity Score
Global Assessment of Disease Activity was a participant-reported measure that evaluated disease activity. It was scored on a scale that ranged from 0 to 10; lower scores indicated better patient status.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Participant Fatigue Score
Using the BASDAI questionnaire, participants assessed the overall level of fatigue/tiredness experienced by him/her. It was scored on a numerical rating scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (severe symptoms).
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Participant Pain Score
Using the BASDAI questionnaire, participants assessed the overall level of AS neck, back or hip pain experienced by him/her. It was scored on a numerical rating scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (severe symptoms).
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants With Morning Stiffness
Morning stiffness was a participant-reported assessment. The number of participants with morning stiffness were assessed at each visit.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Duration of Morning Stiffness
Participants accessed the duration of morning stiffness in 15 minute intervals from 0 to 2 hours. Data are reported as the mean duration of morning stiffness ± standard deviation.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants Achieving Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) Improvement Criteria
This is a four domain (participant global assessment of disease activity, assessment of spinal pain, assessment of function (BASFI), and assessment of duration/severity of morning stiffness (mean of BASDAI questions 5 and 6)), participant-reported assessment scored on a scale from 0 (best) to 10 (worst). To qualify for a 20% improvement, participants were required to have an improvement of greater than or equal to 20% and greater than or equal to 1 unit in at least 3 domains, and no worsening of greater than or equal to 20% and greater than or equal to 1 unit in the remaining domain. To achieve a 40% improvement, participants were required to have an improvement of greater than or equal to 40% and greater than or equal to 2 units in at least 3 domains, and no worsening at all in the remaining domain.
Time frame: At 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants Achieving ASAS Partial Remission Criteria
This is a four domain (participant global assessment of disease activity, assessment of spinal pain, assessment of function (BASFI), and assessment of duration/severity of morning stiffness (mean of BASDAI questions 5 and 6)), participant-reported assessment scored on a scale from 0 (best) to 10 (worst). To qualify for a partial remission, participants had to have values of 2 or less (on a scale of 10) in each of the 4 domains.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants With Impairment in Daily Activities During the Last 4 Weeks
The impairment of daily activities was based on participant recall of events that occurred over the 4 weeks before the visit. Percentage of participants with impairment for 0, less than 7, 7 to 14, and greater than 14 days was assessed.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants Who Missed Work Days Due to Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) in the Previous 12 Months
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Missed Work Days Due to Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Previous 12 Months
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants With In-Patient Hospitalization Due to Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Previous 12 Months
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Days of In-Patient Hospitalization Due to Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Previous 12 Months
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants on Adalimumab Monotherapy
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants With Concomitant Non-Biologic Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Percentage of Participants With Concomitant Pain Relief/Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Participants with concomitant pain relief/anti-inflammatory agents like analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, and systemic glucocorticoids were assessed during the study period.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months
Mean Equivalent Dose of Prednisolone
The mean equivalent dose of prednisolone was calculated based on the International Standard for comparison of different glucocorticoid products.
Time frame: At Baseline (Month 0), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months