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 .
Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor (etanercept) for treating ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and efficacy of etanercept in a multicenter , r and omized , placebo-controlled , double-blind trial of adults with moderate to severe active ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) . METHODS Patients ( n = 277 ) were treated with either etanercept 25 mg ( n = 138 ) or placebo ( n = 139 ) subcutaneously twice weekly for 24 weeks . The primary outcome measures were the percentages of patients achieving the Assessment s in Ankylosing Spondylitis 20 % response ( ASAS20 ) at weeks 12 and 24 . Other outcome measures included the percentage of patients achieving higher ASAS responses , and the safety of etanercept in patients with AS . All outcome measures were assessed at 2 , 4 , 8 , 12 , and 24 weeks . RESULTS Treatment with etanercept result ed in dramatic improvement . The ASAS20 was achieved by 59 % of patients in the etanercept group and by 28 % of patients in the placebo group ( P < 0.0001 ) at week 12 , and by 57 % and 22 % of patients , respectively , at week 24 ( P < 0.0001 ) . All individual ASAS components , acute-phase reactant levels , and spinal mobility measures were also significantly improved . The safety profile of etanercept was similar to that reported in studies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis . The only adverse events that occurred significantly more often in the etanercept group were injection-site reactions , accidental injuries , and upper respiratory tract infections . CONCLUSION Etanercept is a highly effective and well tolerated treatment in patients with active AS
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 .