ABBOTT PARK, Ill., June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott announced that it has received approval from the European Commission to market HUMIRA® (adalimumab) as a treatment for severe, active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Europe. AS is a chronic disease of the axial skeleton and large peripheral joints that causes inflammatory back pain and stiffness, but is also associated with other inflammatory diseases of the skin, eyes and intestines. In its severe form, AS over time can result in complete spinal fusion, causing extreme physical limitation. It is estimated that nearly three million people in Europe are affected by a spinal arthritic disease such as AS.
