Celecoxib for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a debilitating form of chronic inflammatory arthritis which primarily affects the spine. Treatment is based on non-pharmacological therapy, largely exercise, and pharmacological therapy, with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) recommended as first-line treatment. One of the most well studied pharmacological treatments for patients with ankylosing spondylitis is the cyclooxygenase-2 selective NSAID celecoxib. This short review highlights the importance of inflammation in the pathology of the disease. Data from randomized, controlled clinical trials of celecoxib in patients with ankylosing spondylitis is reviewed with respect to efficacy and safety. In addition, more recent data from longer-term trials suggest that celecoxib may have disease modifying properties. In addition, more recent data from longer-term trials suggest that celecoxib may have disease modifying properties, with the benefits perhaps being more pronounced in patients with syndesmophytes and elevated inflammation levels indicative of more severe disease. With the benefits perhaps being more pronounced in patients with syndesmophytes and elevated inflammation levels indicative of more severe disease. Keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis; Celecoxib; Disease modificatio