The analysis of ankylosing spondylitis patients receiving biological therapies: Data from Turkbio registry

Aim: Turkbio registry is a Turkish version of Danish Danbio rheumatologic database. The primary aim of this database is to collect data from rheumatic patients receiving biological agents. In this study we aimed to collect data from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients receiving biological medications who were registered in Turkbio database. Methods: All AS patients receiving biological therapies registered in Turkbio database between October 2011 and September 2012 were included in the study. Demographical and clinical data including age, sex, and disease duration, medications including biological drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics were collected. We also included baseline and follow-up data for disease activity (BASDAI) and function (BASFI). If present reasons for discontinuation of biological medications were noted. Results: There were 220 AS patients. The median ages of the patients were 39 (14?73) years. Male, female sex distribution was 73/27%. Median disease duration was 15 (1?55) years. There were total 1579 visits for 220 patients. The median visit per patient was 6 (1?39). The median biologic usage was 489 (-20?3160) days. The distributions of biological therapies were as follows: infliximab (40.5%), etanercept (33.6%), adalimumab (25%) and anakinra (0.9%). The BASFI and BASDAI values were significantly reduced after biological treatment (P < 0.05). Inefficacy and lost-to-follow up were the most frequent reasons for discontinuing the biotherapy. Conclusion: Results from Turkbio registry suggest that biological therapies are effective in controlling disease activity and maintaining the function. It also seems that these therapies have reasonable safety profile.