Combination treatment with etanercept and an intensive spa rehabilitation program in active ankylosing spondylitis.

Authors: Colina M (1) , Ciancio G (1) , Garavini R (1,2) , Conti M (1,2) , Trotta F (1) , Govoni M (1)

Affiliations:

(1) Rheumatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara (2) Presidio di Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione delle Terme di Castrocaro

Source: Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Oct-Dec;22(4):1125-9.

DOI: 10.1177/039463200902200430 Publication date: 2009 Oct E-Publication date: Not specified Availability: abstract Copyright: Not specified

Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Matteo Colina, MD,
Sezione di Reumatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Azienda S. Anna, Corso della Giovecca, 203 44100 Ferrara, Italy,
Fax: ++39 0532 207221
E-mail: teocolina@libero.it

Keywords

Article abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of a combination treatment with etanercept and spa rehabilitation versus etanercept alone on function, disability and quality of life in a group of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Sixty patients with AS underwent etanercept as suggested by ASAS/EULAR recommendations. As the clinical and laboratory conditions improved, 30 patients accepted the proposal of coupling the medical therapy with a 7-day rehabilitation program in a thermal baths centre; the remaining 30 subjects continued to take the biologic agent alone. The comparisons between the 2 groups were made after 3 and 6 months. The primary outcome was an improvement in BASFI. The secondary outcome was an improvement in the visual analogic scale of EuroQol (EQ-5Dvas). After 6 months a statistically significant improvement in BASFI (p < 0.05) and EQ-5DVAS (p < 0.05) scores was observed in both groups. The mean change in EQ-5DVAS value showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the combination therapy group versus the monotherapy group (22 vs 32, p < 0.05). A therapeutic regimen combining etanercept with an intensive rehabilitation program contributes to disability reduction and ameliorates quality of life for AS patients.

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