Abstract: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcome of patients with ankylosing spondyloarthritis continuing on SASP and thalidomide after a short course of etanercept therapy. METHODS With prospective,unrandomized,controlled evaluation and open design, the patients ,who were first diagnosed ankylosing spondyloarthritis in affiliated hospital of Guilin medical university from March 2007 to March 2010 ,were divided into 3 groups.The patients of experimental group were treated with 25mg etanercept hypodermic injection twice a week for 4 months. SASP and thalidomide were given for 12 months since treatment begin. The patients of etanercept group were only given the same dose of etanercept for 3 months. The patients of thalidomide group were treated with 50 mg thalidomide every night and 1.5 g·d-1 SASP continuously for 12 months. Clinical features, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI),C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were noted at baseline (pre- etanercept),1 month, 3 months,6 months and 12months. RESULTS 79 patients were included in this study. Compared with thalidomide group, reduction of BASDAI of the other groups were significant at first month. At the third month, BASDAI were no appreciable distinction in three groups. At sixth month, BASDAI decreased significantly in experimental group and thalidomide group, comparing with etanercept group. The reduction of BASDAI was continuous in experimental group and thalidomide group at the end of the experiment. Rudction in BASFI were significant in experimental group and etanercept group in third months. In 6 months, BASFI decreased in experimental group and thalidomide group. At the end of the experiment, BASFI continuously decreased in experimental group and thalidomide group. Fall in ESR and CRP occured since 1 month to the end in experimental group.In etanercept group, ESR and CRP descended until 3 months after the last injection of etanercept. Descend of ESR and CRP was significant in thalidomide group after 6 month. CONCLUSION Continuing SASP and thalidomide after short course of etanercept results in sustained improvement in our patients with Ankylosing spondylitis.