Assial - Anti Tnf Treatment In Ankylosing Spondylitis: An Observational Cohort Study In Italy

Percentage of Participants With Unchanged First Line Anti-TNF Treatment Up to Month 18

Time Frame: Baseline up to Month 18

First line anti-TNF treatment included adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab. In this outcome, percentage of participants who were taking any one of the first line anti-TNF treatment at baseline and maintained the same up to Month 18 without any change in prescription, were reported.

Change From Baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) Total Score at Month 18

Time Frame: Baseline, Month 18

BASDAI was a validated self-assessment tool used to determine disease activity in participants with AS. Utilizing a numerical rating scale (NRS) of 0-10 (0 = no problem to 10 = worst problem) participants answered 6 questions measuring symptoms of AS (spinal pain, fatigue, joint pain or swelling, areas of localized tenderness, morning stiffness duration and severity). The BASDAI total score was calculated by computing the mean of questions 5 and 6 and adding it to the sum of questions (Q) 1-4. This score was then divided by 5. BASDAI=Q1+Q2+Q3+Q4+\[Q5+Q6/2\]/5. The total BASDAI score ranges from 0=none to 10=severe, where lower score indicated less disease activity.

Percentage of Participants With Unchanged First Line Anti-TNF Treatment In State of Low Disease Activity

Time Frame: Month 12, 18

Low disease activity was defined as a BASDAI score of less than or equal to (\<=) 2. BASDAI was a validated self-assessment tool used to determine disease activity in participants with AS. The total BASDAI score ranges from 0=none to 10=severe, where lower score indicated less disease activity. In this outcome, percentage of participants with unchanged first line anti-TNF drug (nor dose neither frequency, but drug only) in the state of low disease activity, during the specified time points were reported.