Abstract
Objective Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory condition consisting of 2 clinical subsets: nonradiographic axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis, the latter having an estimated prevalence of 0.2% to 1% in Canada. Secukinumab (SEC) received Health Canada approval in 2016 for the treatment of adults with axSpA who have responded inadequately to conventional treatment, and has demonstrated efficacy and safety through extensive clinical trials. However, there is limited evidence on its real-world use in Canada. The objective of this study was to use the Canadian Spondyloarthritis (CanSpA) Research Network to describe real-world retention and effectiveness of SEC in the Canadian axSpA population.
Methods This was an observational cohort study of Canadian patients with axSpA aged 18 to 65 years within the CanSpA network who had received treatment with SEC. Patients were indexed on the first date of SEC initiation. Retention and clinical effectiveness were assessed at 12 months postindex. Clinical effectiveness was measured as the proportion in remission and change in disease activity using multiple clinical indices.
Results A total of 146 patients were included. Overall retention was estimated at 62.9%. Low disease activity (ie, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index < 4) was achieved in 29.2% of patients, and 2% had achieved remission based on the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index scores improved by more than 60% from baseline to 12 months.
Conclusion The results of this real-world study of Canadian patients with axSpA, one of the first of its kind, support the effectiveness of SEC for treatment of axSpA. The CanSpA network presents an opportunity to continue building and improving the real-world evidence base for treatment of Canadian patients with spondyloarthritis.
