P277 Ixekizumab shows a distinct pattern of pain improvement beyond measurable inflammation as assessed by MRI, CRP or BASDAI questions 5 and 6 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract Background/Aims Efficacy of ixekizumab (IXE) in patients (pts) with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at week (W) 16 in the absence of elevated inflammation as measured by CRP and MRI Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) has been previously reported. In this analysis, we evaluated the improvement in pain with IXE based on longitudinal status of objective measures of inflammation by MRI, CRP value, and BASDAI 5/6 over 16W. Methods The Phase III COAST-V (NCT02696785) 52W, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled study examined the efficacy of IXE in pts with active AS. Adalimumab (ADA) was used as an active reference arm for the first 16W. Pts assigned to ADA went through a wash-out period of 6W prior to getting their first dose of IXE. Change in spinal pain at night (SP-N) and Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) Bodily Pain were measured during study visits and analyzed while controlling for inflammation status using MRI, CRP levels and mean of BASDAI 5/6 (Q5: Duration, Q6: Intensity of morning stiffness). Observed data analyses are presented for each group stratified by treatment arm. Initial analysis: ‘controlled inflammation’ is defined as MRI SPARCC SI joint