The impact of first-line tumour necrosis factor inhibitor treatment on anti-infective use in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: a nationwide retrospective cohort study

Filled AIPs among axSpA patients increased after TNFi initiation in contrast to what has been documented in prior studies on severe infections. This indicates an increase in non-severe infections or a lower threshold for AIPs among physicians after treatment initiation. Furthermore, axSpA patients were prescribed more AIPs before TNFi treatment compared to the general population, suggesting elevated baseline infection risk.