Efficacy of Golimumab in Early Axial Spondyloarthritis in Relation to Gut Inflammation

Inclusion Criteria: * Subject must have a diagnosis of axSpA and classified according to ASAS criteria. * Subject has at least 3 months and maximum 1 year (almost) daily chronic back pain. * Subject has an active disease defined as a positive MRI (according to ASAS definition) or elevated CRP (in patients who are HLA-B27+) and an ASDAS score \> 2.1 (at least high disease activity). Exclusion Criteria: * Full anti-inflammatory dose of NSAIDs for more than 4 weeks for the duration of the axSpA symptoms. * Prior exposure to any biologic therapy with a potential therapeutic impact on SpA, including anti-TNF therapy. * Exposure to disease-modifying drugs (DMARDSs; i.e. methotrexate and sulfasalazine) in the last 3 months before the ileocolonoscopy. * Exposure to systemic corticosteroid treatment in the last 14 days before the ileocolonoscopy. * Infection(s) requiring treatment with intravenous antibiotics/antivirals/antifungals within 30 days prior to the baseline visit or oral antibiotics/antivirals/antifungals within 14 days prior to the baseline visit. * Have a known hypersensitivity to human immunoglobulin proteins or other components of golimumab. * History of central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease or neurologic symptoms suggestive of CNS demyelinating disease. * History of listeriosis, histoplasmosis, chronic of active hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, immunodeficiency syndrome, chronic recurring infections or active tuberculosis. * Have a history of, or concurrent, chronic heart failure, including medically controlled, asymptomatic congestive heart failure. * Evidence of dysplasia or history of malignancy (including lymphoma and leukemia) other than a successfully treated non-metastatic cutaneous squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma or localized carcinoma in situ of the cervix. * Have received, or are expected to receive, any live virus or bacterial vaccination within 3 months prior to the first administration of study agent, during the trial, or within 6 months after the last administration of study agent. * Positive pregnancy test at screening. * Female subjects who are breast-feeding or considering becoming pregnant during the study. * Female subjects who do not use contraceptives. * History of clinically significant drug or alcohol abuse in the last 12 months. * Clinically significant abnormal screening laboratory results as evaluated by the investigator. * Positive rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody at screening if the titers are crossing 3 times the upper limit of the normal. * Subject with diagnosis and current symptoms of fibromyalgia. * Any medical or psychological condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, could jeopardize or compromise the subject's ability to participate in this study.