PROPOSAL OF CROATIAN SOCIETY FOR RHEUMATOLOGY FOR ANTI-TNF-α THERAPY IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH SPONDYLOARTHRITIDES
Authors:
Đurđica Babić-Naglić, Nadica Laktašić, Zrinka Jajić, Branimir Anić, Jadranka Morović-Vergles, Božidar Ćurković
Summary
Spondyloarthritides (SpA) as a group are one of the most common rheumatic disorders with a predominant affection of the spine. Conventinal disease modifying antirheumatic drugs which are effective in rheumatoid arthritis have poor effect on spinal inflammation. Today there is confirmed efficacy of biologics in spondylitis. This therapy is expensive and potentially hazaradous. Croatian Society for Rheumatology set up recommendations for the use of TNF-α blockers in SpA. There are several important points to be considered before their use: diagnosis of Spa, duration and disease activity, previous therapy and it’s efficacy, application and efficacy of biologics, contraindications and safety preacutions and finally a decision for continuous tretament with biologics.