Some features of osteogenesis in ankylosing spondylitis and the possibilities of treatment with bisphosphonates

Abstract

   Despite the high efficacy of currently available targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (tsDMARDs) and biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs), approximately 40 % of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) fail to achieve treatment goals according to clinical, laboratory and imaging tests. In addition, comorbidities in AS, which require an integrated approach involving different specialists, may limit the use of such therapy. In view of the above, as well as the peculiarities of bone metabolism in AS, new therapeutic approaches for this disease have recently been sought, one of which is the use of bisphosphonates. This article discusses some aspects of bone metabolism and unconventional therapeutic options – the use of bisphosphonates in AS complicated by severe comorbidities, in patients with insufficient efficacy of bDMARDs and/or DMARDs.