SAT0416 Significantly Reduced Recurrence Rate of Acute Anterior Uveitis in Ankylosing Spondylitis during Treatment with Golimumab

BackgroundAcute anterior uveitis (AAU) is common in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (1). Golimumab, a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) blocker, has proven to be effective in the treatment of AS (2). We have shown earlier that treatment with adalimumab, another TNF-α blocker, leads to a significant decrease in the recurrence rate of AAU (3) in AS. At present, the effect of golimumab on the recurrence rate of AAU in AS is unknown.ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of golimumab treatment on the recurrence rate of AAU attacks in AS patients.MethodsConsecutive AS patients were enrolled who all fulfilled the 1984 Modified New York criteria, and fulfilled the criteria for initiating treatment with a TNF-α blocker in the Netherlands. All patients were treated with golimumab 50mg once a month for 12 months. During treatment, all occurring AAU attacks were assessed. The historic presence of AAU attacks was assessed from the year before baseline for non-biological treated patients, or the year before the first treatment with a TNF-α blocker in case of a switch from another TNF-α blocker to golimumab. Disease activity was measured with the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score – C-reactive protein (ASDAS). Response to treatment was assessed with the ASAS-20.ResultsIn total, 93 patients (65% male) were evaluable as per protocol, with a mean age of 44±13 years and a median disease duration of 7 (0–53) years. Fifty-one patients (55%) were TNF-α blocker naive. Median ASDAS score at baseline was 3.1 (0.7–5.5), which decreased to 1.9 (0.1–5.1) at 12 months. ASAS-20 response was achieved by 36% of patients at month three (p