Baseline characteristics and clinical variables
| Baseline(N = 35) | t = 6 months | |
| Male gender, n (%) | 27 (76) | |
| Mean (SD) age (years) | 43 (12) | |
| Disease duration (years) | 9 (3.5–16.5) | |
| HLA-B27 positive, n (%) | 24 (69) | |
| Presence of IBD, n (%) | 4 (12) | |
| Presence of uveitis, n (%) | 15 (46) | |
| Presence of arthritis, n (%) | 11 (32) | |
| Anti-TNF used before, n (%) | 10 (29) | |
| BASDAI | 6.2 (4.9–7.6) | 3.0 (1.2–5.3)* |
| ASAS response (N responders, %) | 18 (51%) | |
| Global disease activity | 7.2 (5.9–8.0) | 2.1 (1.0–5.0)* |
| ESR | 31 (19–44) | 7 (3–15)* |
| CRP | 21 (10–35) | <5 (2–6)* |
Unless otherwise indicated, values are median (interquartile range).
ASAS, Assessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis (decrease of 50% or >2, global disease activity (0–10 scale)); BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (0–10 scale); CRP, C-reactive protein (normal <10.0 mg/l); ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (normal <15 mm/h); HLA B27, human leucocyte antigen B27; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease.
*p<0.001 compared with baseline.