Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie
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The spondyloarthritides (SpA) are common inflammatory rheumatic diseases with an overall prevalence of 0.6-1.9%. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA) are the most common subsets of SpA. Women are almost as frequently affected as men, but the total burden of disease may be similar. ⋯ The following paper reviews the currently available literature on anti-TNF alpha therapy in AS and uSpA. Efficacy, side effects and experiences with different doses are discussed. In expectation of the approval of infliximab and etanercept for the treatment of active AS international guidelines for initiation, monitoring and discontinuation of these agents have been recently proposed.