RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Compliance with NICE guidance on the use of anti-TNFα agents in ankylosing spondylitis: an East and West Midlands regional audit JF Clinical Medicine JO Clin Med FD Royal College of Physicians SP 324 OP 327 DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.12-4-324 VO 12 IS 4 A1 Frances Rees A1 Gillian Peffers A1 Carolyn Bell A1 Karen Obrenovic A1 Ravinder Sandhu A1 Jonathan Packham A1 Nicola Erb YR 2012 UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/12/4/324.abstract AB Here we report on an audit performed to examine compliance with National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for the use of anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) in treating patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Data from 17 rheumatology centres across the Midlands were collected prospectively from patients with AS attending outpatient clinics and retrospectively in patients receiving anti-TNFα but not attending outpatient clinics during the audit. In total, 80% of the 416 patients for whom data were collected were male. Of the 238 patients recruited prospectively, 41% were receiving anti-TNFα. Reviewing all patients on anti-TNFα (N=275), pre-treatment assessments 12 weeks apart were documented in 55% of patients. After anti-TNFα treatment had started, regular 12-weekly assessments occurred in 46% of patients. Therefore, compliance with NICE guidance was found to vary among centres. Based on our audit, clinical capacity, and clinical or patient choice might be influencing the suboptimal adherence seen in assessment timing suggested by NICE guidelines relating to the use of anti-TNFα in treating patients with AS.