Final answer:
First-line treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis usually involves nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms, with TNF blockers as an option for those with an inadequate response to NSAIDs. Corticosteroids may be considered in severe cases. Antibiotics are not a standard treatment for AS as it is not an infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
First-line Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. When considering the first-line therapy for AS, the primary goals are to reduce inflammation and manage the symptoms. Typically, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the cornerstone of first-line medication for AS, providing symptom relief and improving function. For patients who have an inadequate response to NSAIDs, the next option may include tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, which are a type of biologic medication that target specific components of the immune system that cause inflammation.
In severe cases of AS or when there are extra-articular manifestations, corticosteroids may be used as a part of the treatment regimen. The therapy choice depends on several factors, including disease severity, presence of peripheral arthritis, extra-spinal manifestations, and the patient's overall health and comorbidities.
It is important to note that while oral or intravenous antibiotics such as penicillin may be used in the treatment of infectious arthritis, they are not a typical treatment for AS, which is not caused by an infection but by immune system dysfunction. Therefore, antibiotics would not be considered as a first-line or standard treatment for AS.