Impact of therapy with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors on the working ability of patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic progressive disease resulting in disability. Affecting mainly young and able-bodied people, AS considerably reduces the manpower of society. To date, it may be stated on the basis of the available data, that long-term therapy with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors makes it possible not only to improve clinical status, but also to restore working ability. This in turn can lead to the conclusion that the indirect costs associated with this disease can substantially reduce costly treatment-related medical losses of society as the patients return to active labor.

Keywords

• ankylosing spondylitis
• disability
• therapy with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors
• improvement of patients’ working ability