Improvement of clinical and radiological manifestations of coxitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with tumor necrosis factor‐α inhibitor golimumab: Results of a 24‐Month prospective observation study (GO‐COX Study)

Abstract

AbstractAimThe hip joint is the most commonly affected non‐axial joint in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Data on the effects of tumor necrosis factor‐α inhibitors (TNFi) in AS patients with coxitis are limited. The aim of this study was evaluation of coxitis treated with the TNFi golimumab in real‐world settings.MethodsThis study was a prospective non‐interventional cohort study. A total of 39 patients newly prescribed with golimumab were enrolled and followed for up to 24 months. The data collected included BASFI, BASMI, ASDAS‐CRP, BASDAI indices. BASRI‐hip X‐ray score was assessed at baseline, and at 12 and 24 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound examination data were obtained at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months.ResultsSignificant improvements in BASFI, BASMI, ASDAS‐CRP, BASDAI scores were observed (P ≤ 0.0001), but the BASRI‐hip score remained stable. After 6 months of treatment, MRI signs of joint effusion were found in a smaller percentage of patients compared with baseline (P = 0.005 for the right and P = 0.015 for the left hip joints). After 12 months, this percentage was significantly lower than at baseline for the right hip joint (P = 0.005) and numerically lower for the left hip joint (P = 0.098). Ultrasound showed a significant increase in the percentage of patients without inflammatory changes after 6 and 12 months compared with baseline (right hip joint: P = 0.026 and P = 0.045, respectively; left hip joint: P = 0.026 for both time points).ConclusionGolimumab therapy in AS patients with coxitis was accompanied by improvement in clinical scores, and in MRI and ultrasound findings without obvious radiographic progress.