Do biologics slow down progression in Ankylosing Spondylitis?

[Celticdancer]

Trying to find out if Ankylosing Spondylitis can be stopped or progression slowed down if Biologics are used or if they don't have as much of an effect on AS as they do other forms of arthritis? Any links to research, articles, videos etc is much appreciated?

[lilyak]

Yes, they do. But individual response is variable. It is the entire point of biologics to slow down or prevent progression of disease. They work for most people. There are so many studies, that if you've googled, you'd find them. Are you worried about taking biologics?

[lilyak]

Just saw your other post. The answers there were clear, and yes, that also applies to Ankylosing spondylitis. biologics DO so progression of disease.

[Huguen]

Hi Celticdancer,

I was diagnosed with AS around 2002. I didn't get put on biologics until about 2015. During this time some pelvic and lower spine vertebrae did begin to fuse, but not to badly as I was stretching often.

I'm in my early 40s now but I just wanted to say that for me, the progression of AS whilst on Simponi (a biologic drug) has been virtually halted. Every year I have my biometrics done (measurements to see how flexible my joints are), and between the simponi and a stretching routine that I try to do 5 days a week, I've even managed to improve some joint flexibility. So with physio and biologics, you can have a really great quality of life with very little disease progression. Are you a dancer? That might help with keeping your flexibility up.

With the physio routine, I ended up coming up with my own series of stretches (some from yoga, some from the AS leaflet) because certain exercises seemed to aggravate my joints too much.

If you have any questions, just go ahead and I'll help if I can.

Huguen.