ADAb levels were inversely correlated with therapeutic response and drug levels. The positive correlation between drug levels and ΔDAS28 indicates that drug monitoring would be useful to evaluate therapeutic response of TNF-α inhibitors.

Introduction The effect of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on women’s sexual functioning has been rarely assessed. Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of SLE on women’s sexual functioning. Methods A total of 302 consecutive female outpatients with SLE were provided with a questionnaire composed of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), questions for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities. Similarly, 2,159 hospital female employees were assessed as the control group. In patients, data of SLE duration and Sjögren’s syndrome were derived from the chart records and the disease activity was assessed using the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000. Main Outcome Measures The FSFI scores were compared between the patients and the controls. Correlates of the FSFI scores were determined in the patients. Results Of 302 eligible patients, 92.4% (279/302) responded, in addition to 73.2% (1,580/2,159) of controls. Ninety-five percent (255/268) of the respondent patients were in no-to-mild SLE disease activity. Among the respondents, 171 (61.3%) patients and 930 (58.9%) controls were sexually active in the previous month, P = 0.446. Of the sexually active patients, 52.5% (85/162) had impaired sexual function (the FSFI total score < 26.55) and so did 47.1% (408/867) of the sexually active controls, P = 0.206. With adjustment of age group, marital status and education level, patients had lower FSFI scores than controls only in the domains of lubrication and pain. Significant risk factors for lower FSFI scores in the patients included persistent activity or flare of SLE, menstrual cycle disturbances, and vascular disease. With further adjustment of other risk factors, only vascular disease remained significant as a risk factor for impaired sexual function (odds ratio = 5.7; 95% confidence interval 1.6–20.1). Conclusion When not in an exacerbation period, the impact of SLE on women’s sexual functioning is not great and is related to vascular factors.

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ObjectivesTo present the long-term (4-year) efficacy and safety of secukinumab in Taiwanese patients with active AS in the MEASURE 1 extension study.MethodsThis post hoc analysis reports data from Taiwanese patients originally randomized to subcutaneous secukinumab 150 or 75mg or placebo every 4 weeks (following intravenous loading dose) who were invited to enter the 3-year extension study. Assessments at Week 208 included ASAS20/40 responses and other clinically relevant endpoints. Efficacy data are presented as observed. Safety analyses included all patients who received ≥1 dose of secukinumab.ResultsOf the 57 Taiwanese patients in the core trial, 48 entered the extension study and 87.5% patients (42/48) completed 4 years of treatment. Thirteen Taiwanese patients (including placebo-switchers) were escalated from 75 to 150mg (approved dose) at some point starting from Week 172. ASAS20/40 responses were sustained through 4 years in the Taiwanese patients who were originally randomized to secukinumab 150mg. Clinical responses were improved in those patients who received dose-escalation from 75 to 150mg during the study. No unexpected safety signals were reported.ConclusionSecukinumab 150mg demonstrated sustained efficacy over 4 years in Taiwanese patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. The safety profile of secukinumab was consistent with previous reports.ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT01863732.