Drug relieves crippling spine condition

Tania Hague was unable to walk downstairs before she took the drug

A drug which can help patients with a crippling spinal condition has been licensed for use in the UK.

People with Ankylosing Spondylitis will now be able to take infliximab (Remicade), the first drug available to doctors which relieves the signs and symptoms of the condition.

Around 200,000 people in the UK are affected by AS, a progressive painful disorder which affects the spine, neck and hips as well as other joints.

Over time, the bones in the back can fuse together, into a "poker back" which then starts to curve, giving the sufferer a stoop.

The average age of diagnosis is 24.

It can leave people housebound and unable to walk. Sufferers can now only use anti-inflammatory and pain relieving drugs.

Former England cricketer Mike Atherton is one of those affected by AS.

'Profound difference'

Infliximab is already approved in the UK for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

It is an anti-TNF drug, which means it blocks the action of Tumour Necrosis Factor which stimulates cells to produce an inflammation response.

Fergus Rogers of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society welcomed the drug

Professor Paul Emery of Leeds General Infirmary, said: "Up until this point, there haven't been any drugs that made a profound difference to the disease.

"There have been powerful painkillers. Some of the most powerful are used to manage AS.

"But there is now a range of new drugs where it's possible to have a profoundly powerful effect on the disease."

Fergus Rogers, director of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that this licence has now been given.

"For the first time, there's a treatment that's actually sending the disease in remission.

"For some people, it's going to be the most important drug they've taken in their whole life."

'Back on track'

Tania Hague from Selby was diagnosed with AS two years ago. She has not worked for eight years and was unable to walk downstairs before she began taking infliximab.

But she is now ready to go back to work.

She said: "Living with AS every day is horrible. It's restrictive, I can't go out with my friends and family. I can't do all the normal things that people do."

"The drug took effect quite soon after I started taking it - within a few days.

Things have been going brilliantly since then. I'm almost getting my life back on track."

Ms Hague said she could walk downstairs unaided, do housework, drive - all things she could not do before.