A 24-year-old man comes to the clinic complaining of lower back pain that has progressively worsened over the past 7 months. He states that the pain is most severe when he wakes up in the morning and is associated with profound stiffness that lasts for about 2 hours. The discomfort noticeably improves after he goes for a jog or stretches, but it does not improve with rest. He has no history of trauma or recent infections. Vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination reveals reduced forward flexion of the lumbar spine. An anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis demonstrates bilateral sclerosis and joint space narrowing of the sacroiliac joints. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial pharmacotherapy for this patient's condition?
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsCevap
- BTumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors
- CSystemic corticosteroids
- DAcetaminophen
- EIntravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics