Clinical Response to Adalimumab Therapy and Its Determinants in Patients With Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Prospective Real‐World Study in Taiwan
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: AIM: To investigate the clinical response to adalimumab (ADA) in patients with active radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) in Taiwan. METHODS: In this real-world study, patients with r-axSpA, starting ADA therapy, were enrolled and followed up every 12 weeks for 48 weeks. Outcome parameters were the proportion of patients with an improvement of 50% in Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI50), inactive disease (ID, < 1.3), and low disease activity (LDA, < 2.1) per ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score-C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) and ASDAS-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ASDAS-ESR), and change in peripheral and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations. Determinants of BASDAI50 response to ADA were examined. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were recorded. RESULTS: Of 88 enrolled patients, 86 were analyzed, and 82 completed the study with all patients receiving 40 mg ADA fortnightly. Patients achieving BASDAI50 increased from 79.1% to 80.5% from weeks 12 to 48. At week 48, ASDAS-CRP and -ESR, ID, and LDA were improved from baseline in 60.8%, 74.7%, 42.1%, and 68.4% of patients, respectively. A decrease in enthesitis, peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, and uveitis was noted. Younger age, presence of uveitis, and use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs were the determinants of treatment response. At least one TEAE was reported in 22.7%, serious AEs in 2.3% of patients, and no deaths. The most common TEAEs were upper respiratory tract infection (5.7%) and cough (3.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This real-world, prospective study in Taiwan involving patients with active r-axSpA shows that ADA treatment effectively reduced disease activity and improved physical function. No new safety concerns were noted.
Institutions: Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Tzu Chi Foundation, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Chi Mei Medical Center, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,700
Funder: AbbVie
OpenAlex ID: W4410906035