Background Anti-TNF-α are effectively used in management of AS, a chronic disease with increased risk of future cardiovascular events, but influence and additional benefit of these agents on arterial stiffness, a potentially modifiable risk marker for cardiovascular events, is controversial.

Objectives Our aim was to evaluate the long term effectiveness on arterial stiffness [pulse wave velocity (PVW)] treated anti-TNF alpha treatment in AS. Our initial follow-up (24 week) study on the effectiveness of anti-TNF-α therapy on arterial stiffness in AS did not demonstrate any clear benefit, and since optimal follow-up period for observing this effect remains unknown we aimed to document further follow-up of these patients at 2 years.

Methods A total 28 active AS patients (21 male, 7 female) were enrolled before initiation of biological therapy and their mid-term (24 weeks) evaluation was reported. For further evaluation initially reported patients were contacted 2 years after anti-TNF-α therapy, and arterial stiffness was assessed by using PWV

Results After 2 year of anti-TNF-α therapy, despite significant improvements in patients’ symptoms and clinical activity parameters including BASDAI score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (p=0.001, p=0.015, p=0.001, respectively) no significant change was obtained in arterial stiffness parameters (7.9 ± 1.3 meter/second, 7.7 ± 1.3 meter/second and 8.3 ±1.1 meter/second, p=0.620).

Conclusions In parallel with the previous 24-week evaluation, results at 2-year follow-up time point indicates that anti-TNF-α therapy does not improve arterial stiffness in patients with AS.

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Disclosure of Interest None Declared