CRP levels associated with slow radiographic progression in axial spondyloarthritis: study

Patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis who were followed up for 18 years at a single centre and initially treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for 3 months were included. Patients with a CRP level of <0.8 mg/dL or 50% of the baseline CRP at 3 months were assigned to the controlled CRP group (n = 351), and the remaining patients were assigned to the uncontrolled CRP group (n = 452). A generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the differences in the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS) between the 2 groups.

The results of the study are as follows:

The increase in the mSASSS was slower in the controlled CRP group than in the uncontrolled CRP group (interaction term β = -.499, 95% confidence interval -0.699 to -0.300).

Thus, the researchers concluded that controlled CRP achieved in response to initial treatment with non-biologic agents for 3 months was significantly associated with a slower rate of spinal radiographic change in patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. The CRP level at 3 months after initial non-biologic treatment is a good predictor of radiographic progression.

Reference:

Early control of C-reactive protein levels with non-biologic is associated with slow radiographic progression in radiographic axial spondyloarthritis by Bon San Koo et. al published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34935282/