The term spondyloarthritis (SpA) encompasses a group of chronic inflammatory disorders of the joints, including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile SpA and undifferentiated SpA. These diseases can also present with uveitis, or intraocular inflammation, which can be controlled with biologics.
Profound success has occurred with the tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors infliximab and adalimumab, moderate success with certolizumab pegol and golimumab and less encouraging results with etanercept. Promising results have also been demonstrated with interleukin-17 (IL-17) antagonists, such as secukinumab ixekizumab or combined IL-12 and 23 medications, such as ustekinumab.
In cases of uveitis that require long-term control, biologics are an emerging and valuable class of medications for these patients, and may provide avenues to control both their underlying SpA and uveitis manifestations.