Secukinumab is recommended, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating active ankylosing spondylitis in adults whose disease has responded inadequately to conventional therapy (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or TNF‑alpha inhibitors). The drug is recommended only if the company provides it with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.
Assess the response to secukinumab after 16 weeks of treatment and only continue if there is clear evidence of response, defined as:
a reduction in the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score to 50% of the pre-treatment value or by 2 or more units and
a reduction in the spinal pain visual analogue scale (VAS) by 2 cm or more.
When using BASDAI and spinal pain VAS scores, healthcare professionals should take into account any physical, sensory or learning disabilities, or communication difficulties that could affect the responses to the questionnaires, and make any adjustments they consider appropriate.