Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Patient Guide

HUMIRA® is indicated for the treatment of adults with active ankylosing spondylitis

who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.1

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

with you

What is AS?AS is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease that affects the spinal area, causing characteristic inflammatory back pain. This can lead to changes in the structure of your back, decreased function and eventually a decrease in quality of life. Characteristic symptoms of AS include lower back pain, spinal stiffness and loss of movement in the spine e.g. restrictions in bending forward, backward or sideways. The lower back pain and stiffness will improve with exercise, but not with rest. In more severe cases, the ability of the chest to expand with breathing may also be restricted. It is not unusual for a person with AS to have swollen and stiff joints in their hands or feet.2,3

Who gets As?AS is a disease that affects young people, presenting at around 26 years of age. About 80 % of people affected with AS, will have their first symptoms before 30 years of age, with less than 5 % only showing their first symptoms after 45 years of age. It is more common in men than in women (ratio of roughly 2:1).2

There is also a genetic link with AS, with a strong association existing between the presence of a certain gene (HLA B27), and the probability of developing the disease.2

What causes AS?The cause of AS is unknown. Two central features of AS are inflammation and new bone formation, especially in the spine. Your body’s immune system protects you from infection by attacking bacteria and viruses that invade your body. With AS, your body’s immune system invades joint areas in your lower back and in between the vertebrae in your spine. This leads to inflammation and destruction of bone in the area. Your body responds to the destruction by building new bone in those areas, which eventually leads to decreased flexibility of your lower back and spine.2

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

with you

Is there a cure?AS is a chronic disease.The use of physical therapy and medication to control the pain and combat the inflammatory process that causes the disease. Studies have shown that treatment with certain medication called TNF-α-blockers (e.g. HUMIRA®) results in fast and substantial improvement of symptoms and pain.2

These medications reduce inflammation and disease activity, which in turn leads to remission of the disease for as long as the medicine is taken.2,3

What medications are available to treat AS?Physiotherapy is a key element in the management of all patients. This together with medication can control pain and arrest the disease activity.2,3

Conventional therapy:2,3

Anti-Inflammatory Agents:Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) improve spinal pain, joint pain and function in AS.

Corticosteroids:Injections of corticosteroids in and around the affected joints in the lower back and elsewhere have been used with good effect.

Biphosphonates:Oral biphosphonates are commonly used to prevent fractures in people with AS. Biphosphonates have an anti-inflammatory action and may have an effect on the disease activity.

Disease-Modifying Agents:Examples of disease-modifying agents include:

• Sulfasalazine• Methotrexate

Another type of disease-modifying agent is also available – a biological agent that specifically targets factors in the body that causes inflammation. The introduction of TNF-α blockers is seen as the most substantial development in the treatment of AS in the past few years.

References: 1. Humira® package insert. 2. Braun J, Sieper J. Ankylosing spondylitis. Lancet 2007;369:1379-1390. 3. McVeigh CM, Cairns AP. Diagnosis and management of ankylosing spondylitis. Br Med J 2006;333:581-585.

S4 HUMIRA® 40 mg - Solution for Injection. Each single use pre-filled syringe or pen contains 40 mg adalimumab per 0.8 ml. Reg. No: 37/30.2/0252. AbbVie (Pty) Ltd, Reg. 2012/068113/07 Address: Abbott Place, 219 Golf Club Terrace, Constantia Kloof, 1709, South Africa. Tel: 011 831 3200. Fax: 011 831 3292. Date of Publication of this Material: March 2020. Promo. No. ZA-HUM-200002. For full prescribing information refer to the package insert approved by the medicines regulatory authority, accessible by e-mailing medicalinfo.za@abbvie.com.