THE INFLUENCE OF OBESITY ON TREATMENT RESPONSE TO BIOLOGIC AGENTS IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Background: Obesity can be a factor that affects response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). Few studies have investigated the impact of obesity on the response to TNFi in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of different body mass index (BMI) categories on TNFi response in patients with AS. Methods: Patients with AS from the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics (KOBIO) registry were included in the current study. Patients who started a first TNFi after recruitment, and had available BMI data as well as a baseline and follow-up visit at 1 year (±6 months) were included. Patients with a BMI 30). We evaluated the proportion of patients achieving the 40% improvement in ASAS criteria (ASAS40), as well as Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) improvement status at 1 year. Results: A total of 1003 AS patients starting a first TNFi were considered in the current study (696 patients of normal weight, 267 patients with overweight, and 40 obese patients). After at 1 year follow-up visit, obese individuals were significantly higher ASDAS-CRP levels but were not significantly lower ASDAS major improvement in comparison to patients of normal weight. Conclusion: Obesity is associated with significantly higher ASDAS-CRP at follow-up visit in patients with AS. Disclosure of Interests: None declared