Vascular Effects of Achieving Low Disease Activity in Axial Spondyloarthritis - A 2-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis driven by chronic inflammation. Achieving LDA may result in significant benefits in articular disease, little is known about its effect on extra-articular disease, including CVD risk in axSpA. To investigate the effect of achieving Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) low disease activity (LDA) using a protocolized treatment strategy on the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients. Methods: One hundred consecutive AxSpA patients will participate in this 2-year prospective, hospital-based, cohort study. All participants will receive 2 years of tight-control treatment. Treatment will be adjusted according to a standardized protocol every 3-6 monthly aiming at ASDAS LDA (ASDAS