Impact of Smoking in Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Methodologic Considerations for Longitudinal Observational Studies.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Observational data facilitate examination of treatment-effect heterogeneity, but the risk of bias is substantial. The present study was undertaken to highlight methodologic considerations through an analysis of whether smoking affects response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods

We used longitudinal data from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register for Ankylosing Spondylitis. Participants fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society criteria for axial SpA who started their first TNFi were eligible for analysis. In comparing the impact of smoking status, weighted generalized estimating equations were used to examine changes in several continuous outcome measures, including the B

SUBMITTER: Zhao SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6694004 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature