Effect of biological treatment on the thiol/disulfide parameters in patients with axial spondyloarthritis

ObjectiveAim of this study is to compare the thiol/disulfide variables before treatment, at the 3rd and 6th months of biologic treatment in patients with axSpA.Materials & MethodsConsecutive patients with axial spondyloarthritis to whom biologic treatment was initiated in our clinic were enrolled upon consent. Demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters and treatment agents were collected. Disease activity scores and thiol-disulfide balance parameters were recorded at baseline and 3rd, 6th months of treatment. Statistical analyses were performed in all patients and in subgroups of ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients.ResultsIn all patients, total thiol levels were significantly increased at 6th month in comparison to baseline values (470.5 +/- 74.7 vs 491.9 +/- 69.6, p = 0.047). Native thiol levels were increased at 6th month close to significance (438.9 +/- 70.4 vs 458.8 +/- 63.7, p = 0.060). Moderately strong negative correlations were observed between native thiol levels and disease activity parameters (BASDAI: p = 0,019; ASDAS-CRP: p = 0,035; ASDAS-ESR: p = 0,030), and between total thiol levels and disease activity parameters (BASDAI: p = 0,031; ASDAS-CRP: p = 0,020; ASDAS-ESR: p = 0,026) at 6th month evaluationDiscussion & ConclusionsOur results demonstrated oxidative stress reducing effect of biologics in axSpA patients parallel to suppression of disease activity at 6th month of the treatment.