This meta- analysis shows that ETN monotherapy is effective in improving physical function and reducing disease activity in patients with AS .
Compared with SSZ , ETN markedly decreased the BASDAI and CRP levels .
Etanercept ( ETN ) has been widely applied in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) .
As the use of ETN has increased , associated adverse effects have been reported frequently .
Previous meta-analyses have focused on comparing the differences in clinical outcomes between ETN and placebo ( PBO ) .
The present meta- analysis evaluated r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) to compare the effects of ETN and a PBO or sulfasalazine ( SSZ ) in patients with AS .
The role of etanercept in ankylosing spondylitis.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to significant loss of function and disability in patients . Current conventional therapies have not demonstrated improvement in axial symptoms and progressive ankylosis of the spine . The use of new biologic agents that block the actions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha have , for the first time , reported significant improvement in axial symptoms and reduction in spinal inflammation in short-term studies . Future studies with larger numbers of patients over long periods of time will eventually determine the long-term success and safety of these agents
This meta- analysis shows that ETN monotherapy is effective in improving physical function and reducing disease activity in patients with AS .
Compared with SSZ , ETN markedly decreased the BASDAI and CRP levels .
Etanercept ( ETN ) has been widely applied in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) .
As the use of ETN has increased , associated adverse effects have been reported frequently .
Previous meta-analyses have focused on comparing the differences in clinical outcomes between ETN and placebo ( PBO ) .
The present meta- analysis evaluated r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) to compare the effects of ETN and a PBO or sulfasalazine ( SSZ ) in patients with AS .