A RECENT study has highlighted the protective benefits of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in reducing hip and spine fractures in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The findings, drawn from an analysis of over 13,000 patients, underscore the potential of TNFi therapy to mitigate complications linked to chronic inflammation in axSpA.

The study utilized data from the Merative MarketScan Database covering 2006–2021. Researchers conducted a nested case-control study involving adults aged 18–65 with confirmed axSpA diagnoses. Patients treated with TNFi were compared to those using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs).

The analysis revealed that TNFi therapy reduced the odds of hip and spine fractures by 29% compared to NSAID use, with similar results in fully adjusted models. The benefit of TNFi was consistent across sex and other demographic factors, highlighting its role in addressing comorbidities associated with axSpA.

“TNFi demonstrates a clear protective effect against fractures in axial spondyloarthritis, making it a vital component of long-term management strategies,” the researchers stated.

AxSpA patients face an elevated fracture risk due to chronic inflammation, underscoring the need for effective therapies that address both disease activity and associated complications. This study supports the growing evidence for TNFi as a dual-purpose treatment, improving both structural and clinical outcomes in axSpA.

Aleksandra Zurowska | AMJ

Reference

Driscoll D et al. Association of Therapies for Axial Spondyloarthritis on the Risk of Hip and Spine Fractures. Arth Rheum. 2024;DOI: 10.1002/art.43082.