Low sclerostin levels: a predictive marker of persistent inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis during anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy?

Table 2 AS baseline parameters considered as predictors of anti-TNF response and persistent inflammation (CRP ≥ 5 mg/L) at 12 months

Baseline parameters	CRP ≥ 5 mg/L n= 10	CRP < 5 mg/L n= 20	P
Age, years	31.6 ± 10.8	37.7 ± 10.8	0.157
Disease duration, years	10.6 ± 8.9	12.5 ± 9.4	0.598
mSASSS	16.5 ± 14.9	23.35 ± 19.0	0.329
BMD lumbar spine, g/cm²	1.020 ± 0.191	1.040 ± 0.168	0.771
BASDAI	4.89 ± 2.1	5.56 ± 2.2	0.415
C-reactive protein, mg/L	58.13 ± 71.1	26.5 ± 27.4	0.166
ESR, mm/hr	38.5 ± 34.9	16.7 ± 9.8	0.176
MMP-3, ng/mL	70.2 ± 52.3	37.8 ± 33.0	0.090
Sclerostin, pmol/L	41.4 ± 19.5	70.0 ± 33.3	0.023

Values are expressed as mean (SD). AS, ankylosing spondylitis; mSASSS, modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score; BMD, bone mineral density; BASDAI, Bath AS Disease Activity Index; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; MMP-3, matrix metalloproteinase 3.

ISSN: 1478-6362