Basic Documentation of Adalimumab (Humira) in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

The BASDAI was a six question, participant-reported measure of overall disease activity that probed the level of fatigue, neck/back/hip pain, peripheral joint swelling and pain, localized tenderness, as well as morning stiffness severity and duration. It was scored on a numerical rating scale that ranged from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (severe symptoms), and the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was 1.0. The final BASDAI score was calculated using the following equation, in which 01 - 06 represents the question number: (BASDAI01 + BASDAI02 + BASDAI03 + BASDAI04 + BASDAI05/2 + BASDAI06*1.25/2)/5. The scale for question 6 was reduced to 0-8 since BASDAI06 was multiplied by 1.25. Data are reported as the mean change total score from baseline (Month 0).

The BASFI was a ten question, participant-reported measure that evaluated physical function. Each question was scored on a numerical rating scale that ranged from 0 (no functional impairment) to 10 (maximal impairment), and the MCID was 0.7. The mean of the ten questions was the total BASFI score. Data are reported as the mean change of total score from baseline (Month 0).

An adverse event/adverse experience was any reaction, side effect or other untoward event associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not the event was considered drug related. This included adverse events occurring from accidental or deliberate drug overdose, from drug abuse, or from drug withdrawal. Exacerbations of pre-existing conditions are also considered adverse events. Data presented are adverse events that are drug-related and are detailed in the adverse event section of this report.

Peripheral joints were assessed by Tender Joint Counts (TJC) and Swollen Joint Counts (SJC), using pressure and joint manipulation during physical examination. Seventy-eight TJC and 76 SJC were evaluated and a score of 0 (not tender or swollen) or 1 (tender or swollen) was assigned for each joint with a higher total score indicating a greater number of involved joints.

Extraspinal manifestations (enthesitis, dactylitis, uveitis, psoriasis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)) were assessed by investigators and reported on the basis of their clinical evaluation and participant records.

Plasma concentrations of ESR were assessed as a marker of systemic inflammation that provided insights into the overall anti-inflammatory effect of rheumatologic therapies.

Plasma concentrations of CRP were assessed as a marker of systemic inflammation that provided insights into the overall anti-inflammatory effect of rheumatologic therapies.

The BAS-G was a participant-reported instrument with two items. In the first item, the participant rated the effect of their disease over the last week, and in the second item, the participant rated the effect of their disease over the previous 6 months. Each item of the BAS-G was scored on a scale ranging from 0 (no effect) to 10 (very severe effect). The mean of the two scores was the total BAS-G score and the MCID was 1.5.

Global Assessment of Disease Activity was a participant-reported measure that evaluated disease activity. It was scored on a scale that ranged from 0 to 10; lower scores indicated better patient status.

Using the BASDAI questionnaire, participants assessed the overall level of fatigue/tiredness experienced by him/her. It was scored on a numerical rating scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (severe symptoms).

Using the BASDAI questionnaire, participants assessed the overall level of AS neck, back or hip pain experienced by him/her. It was scored on a numerical rating scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (severe symptoms).

Morning stiffness was a participant-reported assessment. The number of participants with morning stiffness were assessed at each visit.

Participants accessed the duration of morning stiffness in 15 minute intervals from 0 to 2 hours. Data are reported as the mean duration of morning stiffness ± standard deviation.

This is a four domain (participant global assessment of disease activity, assessment of spinal pain, assessment of function (BASFI), and assessment of duration/severity of morning stiffness (mean of BASDAI questions 5 and 6)), participant-reported assessment scored on a scale from 0 (best) to 10 (worst). To qualify for a 20% improvement, participants were required to have an improvement of greater than or equal to 20% and greater than or equal to 1 unit in at least 3 domains, and no worsening of greater than or equal to 20% and greater than or equal to 1 unit in the remaining domain. To achieve a 40% improvement, participants were required to have an improvement of greater than or equal to 40% and greater than or equal to 2 units in at least 3 domains, and no worsening at all in the remaining domain.

This is a four domain (participant global assessment of disease activity, assessment of spinal pain, assessment of function (BASFI), and assessment of duration/severity of morning stiffness (mean of BASDAI questions 5 and 6)), participant-reported assessment scored on a scale from 0 (best) to 10 (worst). To qualify for a partial remission, participants had to have values of 2 or less (on a scale of 10) in each of the 4 domains.

The impairment of daily activities was based on participant recall of events that occurred over the 4 weeks before the visit. Percentage of participants with impairment for 0, less than 7, 7 to 14, and greater than 14 days was assessed.

Participants with concomitant pain relief/anti-inflammatory agents like analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, and systemic glucocorticoids were assessed during the study period.

The mean equivalent dose of prednisolone was calculated based on the International Standard for comparison of different glucocorticoid products.