Baseline and 2-year differences in spinal symptoms and spinal and hip mobility in early axial spondyloarthritis and non-axial spondyloarthritis chronic back pain patients

OBJECTIVE

To compare spinal symptoms and spinal/hip mobility at baseline and 2 years in early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and non-axSpA chronic back pain (BP) patients.

METHODS

Baseline and 2 years data of the SPondyloarthritis Caught Early cohort were analysed. Outcomes assessed: overall BP, BP at night, morning stiffness (MS) intensity, MS duration, occiput-to-wall distance (OWD), cervical rotation, chest expansion, lateral spinal flexion (LSF), modified Schober test (mSchober), intermalleolar distance (IMD) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI). Linear or zero-inflated negative binomial regression was used to compare 2 years outcomes between groups (adjusting for baseline value, sex, age and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

RESULTS

There were 294 axSpA and 123 non-axSpA patients (mean symptom duration: 13 months). At baseline, non-axSpA patients had worse symptoms and mobility, except OWD (eg, mean(SD): BP at night 3.6 (2.9) axSpA vs 4.6 (2.7) non-axSpA; OWD 0.5 (1.2) vs 0.1 (0.7)). After 2 years, all symptoms and cervical rotation significantly improved in both groups, but LSF and mSchober only in axSpA. In multivariable analyses, axSpA was associated with larger improvements in BP at night (β (95% CI): -0.85 (-1.47; -0.23)), mSchober (0.26 (0.03; 0.50)), IMD (4.86 (1.93; 7.80)) and BASMI (-0.24 (-0.41; -0.08)), and with lower likelihood of a normal OWD (OR (95% CI): 0.09 (0.01; 0.83)).

CONCLUSION

Over 2 years, all spinal symptoms and some mobility measures improved in both groups, but impairments remained prevalent (particularly in non-axSpA). Nevertheless, axSpA was associated with larger improvements in BP at night, mSchober, IMD and BASMI, but with more OWD impairment.

Disease activity and widespread pain are main contributors to patient-reported global health in axial spondyloarthritis: an analysis of 6064 patients

Global health (GH) and health-related quality of life are patient priorities in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Our objective was to assess the relative importance of disease-related factors including disease activity, and patient-related factors including comorbidities, to explain GH in axSpA. Post hoc cross-sectional analyses of 4 sets (COMOSPA, PERSPA, COMEDSPA, and DESIR) of patients fulfilling ASAS criteria for axSpA. GH was assessed through the ASAS Health Index (ASAS-HI) or the EuroQoL-5D-3L (EQ-5D). Disease-related factors included disease activity (ASDAS, psoriasis, arthritis, enthesitis, and CRP), disease duration, diagnostic delay, bamboo spine, and treatment. Non-disease-related factors included sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities and chronic widespread pain. Multivariable logistic and linear regressions and partial variances (R2) were applied to identify independent determinants of GH. In 6064 patients (range 284-2756 across datasets), mean age ranged 38.9-45.8 years, 51-68% were male. GH was generally moderate: median ASAS-HI ranged 5.0-7.0. GH was explained by ASDAS (range of odds ratios, OR, 2.60-4.48) and chronic widespread pain (range of OR 2.19-8.39); other determinants included comorbidities and sociodemographic characteristics. Only 47-57% of the total variance in GH could be explained by the models; disease activity (partial variance, 16-26%) and chronic widespread pain (partial variance 12-15%) were the key contributing variables. A wide range of disease and non-disease-related variables usually collected in studies could only explain 47-57% of the variability in GH. Among these, disease activity and chronic widespread pain were most relevant and of similar magnitude of importance. These findings will be helpful for shared decision-making.

Determinants of health-related quality of life and global functioning and health in axSpA, pSpA and PsA: results from the ASAS-PerSpA study

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and global functioning and health (GH) in axial SpA (axSpA), peripheral SpA (pSpA) and (PsA).

METHODS

The ASAS-perSpA study data were analysed. Models for the three patient groups were run separately to explore factors associated with HRQoL and GH, assessed by EQ-5D and ASAS-HI, respectively.

RESULTS

The analyses included 4185 patients: 2719 with axSpA, 433 with pSpA, and 1033 with PsA.In axSpA, disease activity (β = -0.061), physical function (β = -0.041), female sex (β = -0.019) and fibromyalgia (FM) (β = -0.068) were associated with worse HRQoL; age (β = 0.001) and university education (β = 0.014) were associated with better HRQoL. In pSpA, disease activity (β = -0.04) and physical function (β = -0.054) were associated with worse HRQoL. In PsA, disease activity (β = -0.045), physical function (β = -0.053), axial disease (β = -0.041) and female sex (β = -0.028) were associated with worse HRQoL. In axSpA, disease activity (β = 0.889), physical function (β = 0.887), peripheral disease (β = 0.564), female sex (β = 0.812) and FM (β = 1.639) were associated with worse GH; age (β = -0.013) and university education (β = -0.274) were associated with better GH. In pSpA, physical function (β = 1.142) and female sex (β = 1.060) were associated with worse GH; university education (β = -0.611) was associated with better GH. In PsA, disease activity (β = 0.703), physical function (β = 1.025), axial involvement (β = 0.659), female sex (β = 0.924) and FM (β = 1.387) were associated with worse GH; age (β = -0.024) and university education (β = -0.856) were associated with better GH.

CONCLUSION

Disease activity and physical function are major HRQoL and GH determinants across SpA types, and clinical characteristics and sociodemographic factors play an important role, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach for individual patients.

Health-related quality of life among spondyloarthritis and chronic low back pain patients: results from a nationwide population-based survey

PURPOSE

Both spondyloarthritis and chronic low back pain (CLBP) significantly impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It is important to clarify whether these disorders have different impacts on the several domains of HRQoL as different mechanisms may necessitate different treatment interventions. Moreover, the factors associated with HRQoL can inform more targeted group interventions to promote HRQoL.

METHODS

We used data from EpiReumaPt, a population-based survey conducted from September 2011 to December 2013. HRQoL was assessed with EuroQoL-5-Dimensions (EQ-5D). Spondyloarthritis was diagnosed by expert opinion (rheumatologist) and predefined criteria. CLBP was diagnosed if low back pain was present on the day of the interview and persisted for > 90 days. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses compared HRQoL among subjects with spondyloarthritis, CLBP, and no rheumatic diseases. Multivariable linear regression analyses evaluated HRQoL factors in spondyloarthritis and CLBP subjects.

RESULTS

We included 92 spondyloarthritis patients, 1376 CLBP patients, and 679 subjects without rheumatic diseases. HRQoL was similarly affected in spondyloarthritis and CLBP (ß =  - 0.03, 95% CI [- 0.08; 0.03]) in all EQ5D dimensions. A much lower HRQoL was found in spondyloarthritis and CLBP patients compared with subjects without rheumatic diseases (ß =  - 0.14, 95% CI [- 0.19; - 0.10]; ß =  - 0.12, 95% CI [- 0.14; - 0.09], respectively). In spondyloarthritis subjects, multimorbidity and active disease were associated with worse HRQoL (ß =  - 0.18; 95% CI [- 0.24; 0.03]; ß =  - 0.13; 95% CI [- 0.29; - 0.05], respectively), and regular physical exercise was associated with better HRQoL (ß = 0.18; 95% CI [0.10; 0.30]). In CLBP subjects, multimorbidity (β =  - 0.11; 95% CI [- 0.14; - 0.08]), obesity (β =  - 0.04; 95% CI [- 0.08; - 0.01]), and low back pain intensity (β =  - 0.02; 95% CI [- 0.03; - 0.02]) were associated with worse HRQoL, and regular physical exercise (β = 0.08; 95% CI [0.05; 0.11]) was significantly associated with better HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Spondyloarthritis and CLBP subjects reported similar levels of impairment in the mental, physical, and social domains of HRQoL. Future health plans should address modifiable factors associated with HRQoL in these conditions to achieve better outcomes.

Remission in axial spondyloarthritis: Developing a consensus definition

OBJECTIVE

To reach a consensus on the tools available to evaluate disease activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and to develop a consensus definition of remission in axSpA.

METHODS

A modified Delphi method was used. A scientific committee proposed statements addressing the assessment of axSpA in clinical practice and the definition of remission. The questionnaire was evaluated in 2 rounds by rheumatologists from GRESSER (GRupo de Estudio de ESpondiloartritis de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología).

RESULTS

After 2 rounds of evaluation, a panel of 81 rheumatologists reached agreement on 56 out of the 80 proposed items (72.0%). There was agreement that the definition of remission in axSpA should include: disease activity, pain, fatigue, peripheral involvement, extra-articular manifestations, laboratory tests, functional impairment, mobility, quality of life, need for treatment, radiographic progression, and patient and physician global assessments. It is recommended to set a therapeutic goal when starting a treatment. The ideal goal is remission although low disease activity may also be an acceptable alternative. The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) is the preferred tool to assess disease activity. The panel made a proposal for clinical remission in axSpA based on the ASDAS cut-off value for inactive disease, the absence of extra-articular (acute anterior uveitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease) and peripheral (arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis) manifestations, plus normal C-reactive protein levels and absence of radiographic progression.

CONCLUSION

This work offers consensus recommendations and a proposal of clinical remission that may be useful in the management of patients with axSpA.

Determinants of the patient global assessment of well-being in early axial spondyloarthritis: 5-year longitudinal data from the DESIR cohort

Objectives

To investigate the determinants of patient well-being over time, and the influence of age, gender and education in patients with early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods

Five-year data from DESIR, a cohort of early axSpA, were analysed. The outcome was the BAS-G over 5 years. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to test the relationship between potential explanatory variables from five outcome domains (disease activity, physical function, spinal mobility, structural damage and axial inflammation) and BAS-G over time. Longitudinal relationships were analysed using an autoregressive GEE model. Age, gender and educational level were tested as effect modifiers or confounders.

Results

A total of 708 patients were included. Higher BASDAI questions on fatigue [β (95% CI): 0.17 (0.13, 0.22)], back pain [0.51 (0.46, 0.56)], peripheral joint pain [0.08 (0.04, 0.12)] and severity of morning stiffness [0.08 (0.03–0.13)], and higher BASFI [0.14 (0.08, 0.19)] were associated with a higher BAS-G. In the autoregressive model, the same variables except for morning stiffness were associated with a worsening in BAS-G. Age, gender and educational level were neither effect modifiers nor confounders.

Conclusion

A higher level of back pain is associated with a worsening of patient well-being, as are, though to a lesser extent, higher levels of fatigue, peripheral joint pain and physical disability. Age, gender and educational level do not have an impact on these relationships.

Subclinical atherosclerotic disease in ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. A multicenter study on 806 patients

OBJECTIVES

To compare the atherosclerosis disease burden between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic (nr) axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and establish a model that allows to identify high-cardiovascular (CV) risk in axial spondyloarthritis patients.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study from the AtheSpAin cohort, a Spanish multicenter cohort aimed to study atherosclerosis in axSpA. Carotid ultrasound (US) was performed to determine the carotid intima-media wall thickness (cIMT) and detect the presence of carotid plaques. The European cardiovascular disease risk assessment model, the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), was also applied.

RESULTS

A set of 639 patients with AS and 167 patients with nr-axSpA without history of CV events were recruited. AS patients were older showing more CV risk factors and higher values of C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) than those with nr-axSpA. However, no difference in the prevalence of carotid plaques or in the cIMT was found between both groups in the adjusted analysis. The percentage of patients reclassified from the low and moderate CV risk categories to the very high-risk category due to the presence of carotid plaques was comparable in AS and nr-axSpA (10.7% versus 10.1% and 40.5% versus 45.5%, respectively). A model containing age, BASFI and ESR applied to moderate risk axSpA patients identified 41% of these patients as having very high-risk patients with high specificity (88%).

CONCLUSION

The atherosclerosis burden is similar in nr-axSpA and AS. As occurred for AS, more than 40% of axSpA patients included in the category of moderate CV risk according to the SCORE are reclassified into very high risk after carotid US, and a clinically relevant proportion of them can be detected by applying a model containing age, BASFI and ESR.

Long-term association between disease activity and disability in early axial spondyloarthritis: results from the DESIR cohort

OBJECTIVES

Our primary objective was to study the long-term association between disease activity and disability in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Our secondary objective was to define patient profiles according to their level of disability.

METHODS

We analysed data collected during the first five years of follow-up of a large early axSpA cohort - the Devenir des Spondylarthropathies Indifferénciées Récentes (DESIR) cohort. Multivariable models were built to study the association between Ankylosing Spondylitis Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ-AS) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP), adjusting for potential confounders. Hierarchical multivariable analysis was conducted using the Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) method, to help determine how variables best cluster to explain HAQ-AS.

RESULTS

Data from 644 patients and 5152 visits were analysed. HAQ-AS was longitudinally, independently and positively associated with ASDAS-CRP [adjusted (adj) B=0.205, (95% confidence interval (CI)= 0.187 to 0.222], enthesitis score (adjB=0.011, CI=0.008 to 0.015), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) (adjB=0.087, CI=0.069 to 0.105) and female gender (adjB=0.172, CI=0.120 to 0.225). The CHAID decision tree revealed ASDAS-CRP as the first variable with discriminative power on HAQ-AS. The cut-offs that separated different patient disability profiles were obtained.

CONCLUSION

Disease activity contributes longitudinally to disability and is hierarchically superior to any other variable in explaining this health domain. Enthesitis and spinal mobility are also key drivers of disability in early axSpA. ASDAS-CRP cut-offs that separated different patient disability profiles largely mimicked the cut-offs previously defined for ASDAS-CRP disease activity states.

Clinical, Economic, and Humanistic Burden Associated With Delayed Diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have evaluated the impact of delayed diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) on the overall burden of disease. The objective of this review was to evaluate the available literature on the clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of delayed diagnosis in patients with axSpA.

METHODS

This systematic literature review was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched the MEDLINE and Embase databases for English-language publications of original research articles (up to July 12, 2018) and conference abstracts (January 1, 2014, to July 12, 2018) reporting studies of adult patients with delayed diagnosis of axSpA associated with clinical, economic, or humanistic burden. Retrieved publications were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers; discrepancies were resolved by a third independent reviewer. Data were extracted by one reviewer and validated by a second independent reviewer.

RESULTS

A total of 1391 publications were retrieved, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Of these, 15 reported data on clinical burden, nine on economic burden, and six on humanistic burden, with eight studies reporting a combination of clinical, economic, and/or humanistic burden. Patients with a delayed diagnosis of axSpA generally had higher disease activity, worse physical function, and more structural damage than those who received an earlier diagnosis. Patients with a delayed diagnosis also had a greater likelihood of work disability and higher direct and indirect healthcare costs than those who received an earlier diagnosis. Delayed diagnosis was associated with a greater likelihood for depression, negative psychological impacts, and worse quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed axSpA diagnosis was associated with more functional impairment, higher healthcare costs, and worse quality of life, highlighting the importance of early recognition of axSpA to reduce extensive burden on patients and society. Plain language summary available for this article.

Taiwan Rheumatology Association consensus recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis

Aim

To establish guidelines for the clinical management of axial spondyloarthritis that take into account local issues and clinical practice concerns for Taiwan.

Method

Overarching principles and recommendations were established by consensus among a panel of rheumatology and rehabilitation experts, based on analysis of the most up‐to‐date clinical evidence and the clinical experience of panelists. All Overarching Principles and Recommendations were graded according to the standards developed by the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, and further evaluated and modified using the Delphi method.

Results

The guidelines specifically address issues such as local medical considerations, National Health Insurance reimbursement, and management of extra‐articular manifestations.

Conclusion

It is hoped that this will help to optimize clinical management outcomes for axial spondyloarthritis in Taiwan.

Are extra-spinal symptoms associated with quality of life in patients with axial spondyloarthritis? A 1-year follow-up study

To assess the extent to which a history of extra-spinal symptoms (including peripheral arthritis, heel enthesitis, or dactylitis) (HPED) is associated with quality of life (QoL) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) at baseline and 1-year follow-up. We analyzed data from 138 patients with axSpA from a tertiary referral center in Singapore, seen between 2011 and 2015. Demographic, clinical variables, and patient-reported outcomes [Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) and SF-36] at baseline and 1-year follow-up were collected. We used linear mixed models to assess the association of HPED with QoL at baseline and 1 year post-baseline. Among 138 patients (mean age 39.3 years, 74.6% males, 87.6% Chinese, disease duration 7.4 years), at baseline, HPED was associated with poorer QoL for 3 of 8 SF-36 domains [role physical (RP) scores β - 8.38, p < 0.05; social functioning (SF) scores β - 6.74, p < 0.05; role emotional (RE) scores β - 9.37, p < 0.01] and SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) (β - 4.52, p < 0.01) scores, but not ASQoL scores. At 1 year post-baseline, HPED was associated with poorer ASQoL (β 1.61, p < 0.05) scores, SF-36 PCS (β - 5.61, p < 0.01) scores, and three out of eight SF-36 domains (physical functioning (PF) β - 9.60, p < 0.01; RP β - 12.17, p < 0.01; RE β - 7.87, p < 0.05) scores. HPED was associated with QoL in patients with axSpA. After 1-year, patients with HPED have poorer QoL especially for physical health domains than patients without HPED.

Similar alteration for mental and physical aspects in health-related quality of life over 5 to 8 years in 1347 patients with early arthritis and early inflammatory back pain

Introduction

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a priority for patients. The objectives were to describe the changes in HRQoL over 5–8 years in patients with early arthritis (EA) or early inflammatory back pain (IBP) and to explore factors associated to HRQoL.

Patients and methods

In 2 prospective observational French cohorts (ESPOIR for EA patients and DESIR for early IBP patients), HRQoL was assessed regularly over 5–8 years, using the SF36 physical and mental composite scores (PCS and MCS, range 0–100). Disease activity was assessed by DAS28-ESR and ASDAS-CRP. Univariate and multivariate linear mixed-effect models and trajectory-based mapping were applied.

Results

In all, 1347 patients (701 EA and 646 early IBP) were analysed: mean age 48.4 ± 12.2 and 33.9 ± 8.7 years respectively; mean disease duration 3.4 ± 1.7 and 18.2 ± 10.8 months; and 76.3% and 55.0% females. At baseline, in EA, mean PCS and MCS were respectively 40.2 ± 9.1 and 40.4 ± 11.2 and, in early IBP, were respectively 38.5 ± 8.5 and 39.8 ± 10.9. Over follow-up, HRQoL mean levels improved mostly over the first 6 months (p <  0.001). Two trajectories were evidenced in both diseases. The ‘good HRQoL’ trajectory groups, i.e. 54–61% of patients, reached levels of HRQoL close to population norms. DAS28-ESR and ASDAS-CRP over time were related to PCS (range of explained variance 9–43%, p <  0.001 in the mixed models) but not to MCS.

Conclusion

HRQoL was altered similarly for both physical and mental aspects in EA and early IBP. Disease activity only partly explained HRQoL: the drivers of HRQoL should be further explored.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-019-1841-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Factors related to health-related quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis, overall and stratified by sex

Background

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) begins early in life and often leads to reduced physical function, but less is known about the impacts it has on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aims of this study were to assess HRQoL using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) in a cohort of patients with AS compared with controls and to examine associations between SF-36 scores and spinal radiographic changes, physical function, disease activity and demographic data overall and stratified by sex.

Methods

A cohort of patients with AS from Western Sweden were assessed using the Modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) with spinal radiographs, clinical examination and questionnaires, including the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global (BASG) and SF-36. Each patient’s SF-36 results were compared with those of five age-matched and sex-matched persons (n = 1055) from the SF-36 Swedish normative population database. Associations between SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores and disease-related and demographic factors were investigated using univariate and multivariable ogistic regression analyses with PCS and MCS below/above their respective median values as dependent variables.

Results

A total of 210 patients, age (median, IQR) 49.0 (21.2) years, symptom duration 24.0 (21.0) years, men 57.6% and HLAB27 87.1% were included. Patients with AS scored significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to controls in all SF-36 domains and component summaries; PCS 42.4 (14.5) in AS versus 52.4 (11.8) in controls and MCS 47.9 (20.0) in AS versus 54.1 (10.1) in controls. Both men and women scored significantly lower in PCS compared with MCS. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that living without a partner (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.00–5.67), long symptom duration (year in decade OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.16–2.37), higher BASFI (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.46–2.70) and ASDAS ≥ 2.1 (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.45–7.62) were associated with worse PCS, while living without a partner (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.34–6.91), fatigue (visual analogue scale for global fatigue greater than the median (OR 6.36, 95% CI 3.06–13.19) and ASDAS ≥ 2.1 (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.41–6.25) with worse MCS. Some differences between sexes were observed in the results.

Conclusions

The patients with AS had significantly lower HRQoL compared with controls. PCS was more affected compared to MCS in both sexes. Both disease-related and demographic factors were associated with HRQoL, partly overlapping for PCS and MCS. Factors associated with HRQoL showed some differences between sexes. By modifying factors, such as ASDAS-CRP and fatigue, HRQoL may potentially be improved.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00858819. Registered on 9 March 2009. Last updated on 28 May 2015.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1784-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Challenges to conquer from the gender perspective in medicine: The case of spondyloarthritis

Background

Diagnostic delay is well-known in spondyloarthritis and studies have demonstrated a longer deferral in women. The aim of this study was to explore whether diagnostic delay of spondyloarthritis depends on clinical manifestations expressed by patients according to sex or whether it is related to a doctor’s misdiagnosis bias.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 96 men and 54 women with spondyloarthritis was performed at Alicante University General Hospital in Spain using a semistructured interview and clinical records. Comparative sex analysis were done via Student’s T and Mann-Whitney U tests for parametric and nonparametric continuous variables, chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests for unpaired categorical variables, and McNemar’s test for paired ones.

Findings

The median diagnostic delay in women 7.5 (11.5) years is higher than men 4 (11) years, with a difference close to statistical significance (p = 0.053). A total of 30.2% of men received a first correct diagnosis of spondyloarthritis versus 11.1% of women (p = 0.016), indicating that men have higher probability of not having a misdiagnosis of spondyloarthritis (odds ratio = 3.5; 1.3–9). Eleven different health services referred male patients to the rheumatology clinic but only six in the case of female. No sex differences were detected in patients’ manifestations of back pain at onset. However, medical records registered differences (women 44.4%, men 82.1%; p < 0.001). There were differences between patients (women 57.7%, men 35.2%; p = 0.008) and medical records in peripheral signs/symptoms at onset (women 55.6%, men 17.9%; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The few differences of self-reported manifestations between both sexes with spondyloarthritis as compared with their clinical records (more axial pain in men and more peripheral pain in women) suggests that the professionals’ annotations reflect what they expect according to Literature, which could explain the higher misdiagnosis and diagnostic delay in women with spondyloarthritis.

In Early Axial Spondyloarthritis, Increasing Disease Activity Is Associated with Worsening of Health-related Quality of Life over Time

OBJECTIVE

In early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), data are lacking about the relationship between disease activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We assessed and quantified the association between change in Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and HRQOL over time in early axSpA.

METHODS

Baseline and 1-year data of patients with axSpA fulfilling the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria from the SPondyloArthritis Caught Early (SPACE) cohort were analyzed. Associations between change in ASDAS and in physical (PCS) or mental component summary (MCS) of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 were tested by linear regression models. Age, sex, ASAS criteria arm, and blue- versus white-collar work were tested for effect modification. Subsequently, these factors and medication were tested for confounding.

RESULTS

There were 161 patients with axSpA [53% male, mean (± SD) age 29.7 (± 7.5) yrs, symptom duration 13.6 (± 7.2) months, HLA-B27-positive 91%, radiographic sacroiliitis 22%] who had ASDAS of 2.5 (± 1.0) and 2.0 (± 0.8), PCS of 28.4 (± 14.3) and 36.9 (± 13.1), and MCS of 48.2 (± 13.8) and 49.3 (± 12.0) at baseline and 1 year, respectively. Per unit increase in ASDAS between baseline and 1 year, PCS worsened by 9.5 points. The same level of disease activity had fewer adverse effects on physical HRQOL in women and white-collar workers.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, our data are the first to show that in a broad group of patients with early axSpA, increasing ASDAS is associated with worsening of physical HRQOL, but not mental HRQOL, over time.

Quality of life and correlation with clinical and radiographic variables in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a retrospective case series study

Background

Previously, many studies have evaluated quality of life (QoL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), however, none of them specifically investigated the correlation between pain-related disability measured by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and QoL in AS patients. In addition, the correlation between global kyphosis (GK) in lateral plain radiographs and QoL in AS patients remains unclear up to now. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate QoL and correlation with clinical and radiographic variables in AS patients, especially to figure out the relationship about the pain-specific disability measured by ODI, GK and QoL.

Methods

From January 2008 to November 2015, two hundred and forty-five consecutive patients with an average age of 36.2 ± 10.9 years (range, 17–66 years) satisfying the Modified New York Criteria for AS from a single institution were enrolled. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global score (BAS-G) were applied to assess the disease activity, functional status, spinal mobility and overall feeling of AS patients, respectively. ODI was recorded to evaluate low back pain-related disability. QoL was evaluated by the Short Form-36 (SF-36). According to global kyphosis (GK) measured on standing lateral full-spine radiographs, the patients were divided into two groups: mild kyphotic group (GK < 70°,n = 176) and severe kyphotic group (GK ≥ 70°,n = 69).

Results

The scores of BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI and ODI had significant negative correlations with all SF-36 subscale scores (P < 0.01). BASFI and BASMI scores of severe kyphotic group were much higher than those of mild kyphotic group, respectively (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively) and the score of physical function (PF) subscale in severe kyphotic group was significantly higher than that in mild kyphotic group (P = 0.046) as well. Notably, the scores of ODI, BASFI and BASMI were the major predictors of PF subscale score of SF-36.

Conclusions

Poor QoL is significantly correlated with high disease activity, poor functional status and decreased spinal mobility in AS. GK is significantly associated with functional status, spinal mobility and QoL in AS patients. ODI, BASFI and BASMI are the major predictors of PF subscale of SF-36.