Deodhar A, van der Heijde D, Sieper J, et al. - Analyzing upadacitinib’s efficacy and safety for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a sustained and consistent efficacy of upadacitinib 15 mg once daily was evident over 1 year. Similar efficacy was observed between patients who switched from placebo to upadacitinib at week 14 vs those who received continuous upadacitinib.

• Upadacitinib 15 mg once daily or placebo was given to adults with active AS and an inadequate response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in the SELECT-AXIS 1 study.

• At week 14, those on placebo were switched to upadacitinib, and 178 patients on study drug entered the open-label extension; interim data up to week 64 are presented herein.

• In the continuous upadacitinib or placebo-to-upadacitinib group, similar proportions of patients achieved Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society 40% response or Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score exhibiting low disease activity at week 64.

• Consistent improvement or sustained maintenance through the study was observed in mean changes from baseline (week 0) to week 64 in pain, function, and inflammation.

• Serious infections, major adverse cardiovascular events, venous thromboembolic events, gastrointestinal perforation, or deaths did not occur.