The efficacy and safety of infliximab used in patients with ankylosing spondylitis after unilateral total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract

A retrospective study was performed in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) from south China, to investigate the efficacy and safety of infliximab after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Thirty-two AS patients were divided into two groups. The treatmen group recieved infliximab at four weeks after unilateral THA (11 patients) and were compare to a control group (21 patients). Patients in the control group were treated with traditional medications. Clinical assessment, laboratory examinations, and x-rays were performed pre- and postoperatively. The BASDAI score decreased more in the infliximab group at six and 12 months after THA, as did the CRP and ESR. The contralateral hips without arthroplasty of patients in the infliximab group improved significantly compared to the control group, in terms of Harris score (HHS), range of motion (ROM) and VAS. However, the hips with an arthroplasty in the control group had a better prognosis than those without arthroplasty of the infliximab group. Hips with arthroplasty in the infliximab group achieved better improvement of HHS than hips without arthroplasty in the control group, but not for ROM and pain relief. No radiological evidence of prosthetic loosening was found in either group. There was no significant difference of the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Compared with THA, AS patients using infliximab only did not obtain as good an outcome. Infliximab was shown to be safe and could be effective to improve hip function and systemic symptoms.