View clinical trials related to Spondylitis, Ankylosing.
Filter by:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are characterized by chronic systemic inflammation and share common pathogenic pathways. In both diseases, cytokines like TNF and IL-17, known for their pro-inflammatory and osteoclastogenic effects, are relevant players, however, while RA is characterized by bone erosions, AS favors bone overgrowth. Understanding this paradox may hold the key for a better management of both diseases. Our hypothesis is that there are differences in the cellular environment and intracellular signaling between AS and RA. To test this hypothesis we will evaluate the cytokine milieu, the kinetics of bone cells differentiation and their activity in untreated and immunosuppressed RA and AS patients. We will also perform the same observations in patients exposed to targeted treatments.
Long term data on efficacy and safety of anti-TNF treatment with infliximab in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) beyond 5 years is lacking. These data are important because patients with AS usually are younger and withdrawal of anti-TNF therapy in these patients almost always leads to a disease relapse. Furthermore it is still unclear whether long term anti-TNF treatment in AS patients can inhibit radiographic progression. Patients who participated in the EASIC and the DIKAS trial respectively who were treated with infliximab within these studies for 7 and 10 years respectively are followed up by using clinical outcome parameters every 6 months assessing efficacy and safety of long term treatment. Furthermore radiographs of the spine, if done for clinical indication, are analyzed. It is hypothesized that anti-TNF treatment with infliximab is effective and safe over a time period of 9 and 12 years respectively and that long term anti-TNF therapy may inhibit radiographic progression of the spine.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a non - inflammatory condition characterized by the presence of chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness; FMS is considered to be the result of increased processing of pain by the central nervous system. Axial spondyloarthropathy is the hallmark of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory joint disease involving the axial spine, the sacroiliac joints as well as peripheral joints. Although FMS and AS differ vastly in their pathogenesis, a considerable clinical overlap may exist between these conditions. Both disorders typically cause chronic nocturnal back pain and disturbed sleep may accompany either condition. In addition,the investigators have previously described an increased prevalence of (secondary) FMS among female AS patients. This overlap may have important clinical implications since the presence of comorbid FMS may lead to increased severity results on commonly used instruments in the evaluation of disease activity in AS, such as the BASDAI and BASFI . Recently, the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) has published updated classification criteria for axial spondyloarthropathy. These criteria, which are summarized in table 1, are based on the evaluation of patients suffering from chronic back pain with an age of onset of less than 45. Objective: The objective of the current study is to evaluate the prevalence of axial spondyloarthropathies among FMS patients, utilizing the new ASAS criteria.
A relationship between IBD and spondyloarthropathy is well recognized. ASCA ( anti saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies)are considered to be a serological marker for Crohn's disease and have been studied in patients with spondyloarthropathy with conflicting results. More recently, new serological markers for IBD have been described. These markers are antibodies to certain defined glycans , and their use may permit an improved diagnosis of IBD. The aim of our study is to investigate wether these new serological markers are present in the sera of patients with spondyloarthropathy.