Spondyloarthritis & psoriatic arthritis
The use of ASDAS to evaluate disease activity and response to treatment in patients with axial spondyloarthritis starting the first biological drug: Are ASAS recommendations being followed?
Authors' conclusion
ASDAS is widely assessed in axSpA patients starting bDMARDs by Portuguese rheumatologists. Most patients respond within 3 months but waiting until 6 months to determine treatment continuation is reasonable.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) from the Reuma.pt registry who initiated their first bDMARD and attended baseline, 3-month and 6-month visits
- Participants
- 666 patients
- Outcome
- Proportion with ASDAS calculated at baseline and at least once within two follow-up visits after starting first bDMARD
Methodological detailsReuma.pt registry
- Reuma.pt registry
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
ASDAS availability
ASDAS at baseline
N = 540; 81 %
ASDAS at baseline and at 3 M and/or 6 M
493
74 %
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Alternative outcome measures when ASDAS absent
- No alternative outcome measure was predominantly used
Meeting ASAS continuation criteria (∆ASDAS ≥1.1), among 336 with complete ASDAS evaluation · 3 M and 6 M
%
- Met criteria at 3 M
- 58
- Met criteria at 6 M
- 60
- Response maintenance between 3 M and 6 M
- 86
- Non-responders at 3 M (n=147) responding at 6 M
- 25
Characteristics of responders at both timepoints vs others
- Male
- 65 % vs 45 %
- Mean age
- 35 vs 38 years
Original publication
The use of ASDAS to evaluate disease activity and response to treatment in patients with axial spondyloarthritis starting the first biological drug: Are ASAS recommendations being followed? Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 18 July 2025. doi:10.
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