No deterioration in health-related quality of life in patients with axial spondyloarthritis followed for 5 years in ordinary outpatient clinics in the biological treatment era

Altered sleep in axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis: Post hoc comparative study based on a sleep-specific question from the ASAS health index

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sleep problems are common in spondyloarthritis (SpA), but the factors associated with them are only partially known. In this study, responses to item #16 from the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society-Health Index (ASAS HI) that explores the sleep category according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) were compared between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial SpA (axSpA).

METHODS

Post hoc analysis of a multicentre cross-sectional study included a total of 201 consecutive patients. The prevalence, correlations, and disease factors associated with a positive response to item #16 were analyzed in both SpA populations.

RESULTS

Forty-eight/111 (43.2%) patients with axSpA and 42/90 (46.7%) with PsA reported sleep problems. There was a moderate-high correlation between item #16 and the ASAS HI sum score in both populations (r≥.59). In axSpA, poor sleep was associated with disease activity (OR 8.45, p<.001), biological therapy use (OR .24, p<.05) and CRP levels (OR .16, p<.05). In PsA, disturbed sleep was independently associated with disease activity showing a dose-response effect (OR 1.16, p<.001). Taking both populations together, disease severity (OR 6.33, p<.001) and axSpA (OR .50, p<.05) were independently associated with a positive response to item #16. Correlations between the different components of the ASAS HI and item #16 were markedly different in both populations.

CONCLUSIONS

A positive response to item #16 was common in both SpA phenotypes. However, the link between inflammatory burden and disturbed sleep was higher in axSpA than in PsA.

Influence of Disease Acceptance on the Quality of Life of Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis - Single Centre Study

Introduction

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, progressive disease, often with multiple complications, with periods of exacerbation and remission. The onset of the disease usually affects people under 30 years of age. The disease impairs physical, psychological, and social functioning, leading to disability. Therefore, patients with AS face the challenge of adapting to life with the condition and deteriorating quality of life (QoL).

Objective

This study aimed to assess the impact of disease acceptance on quality of life in patients with AS.

Material and Methods

The study was conducted in the Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases of the University Hospital in Wrocław among 110 patients (67 men and 43 women) with the diagnosis of AS, aged 20-89 years (M=48.44 years, SD±12.55). The study used the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the WHOQoL-BREF Quality of Life Scale, and a self-constructed questionnaire of clinical and sociodemographic data.

Results

Respondents rated the quality of life as good and moderate (M = 3.49 points, SD=±0.84). The mean AIS score was 27.44 (SD=±8.67). AIS scores are positively correlated with all QoL domains and perception of quality of life and health (p<0.001). The strongest correlation was in the physical domain (r=0.71), while the weakest correlation was observed in the social domain (r=0.329). AIS and QoL measures showed significant relationships with selected sociodemographic data (eg, gender, age, education, and occupational activity) and correlated with selected disease data (eg, type of treatment used, duration of disease, or comorbidities).

Conclusion

AIS in patients with AS condition correlated positively with their QoL in all domains. Both disease acceptance and quality of life are influenced by specific sociodemographic and disease-related data. Prevention of complications and the type of treatment for AS (primarily biological treatment) can be essential in improving patients' quality of life.

Non-Physical Disease Facets in Spondyloarthritis: An ASAS Health Index-Based Analysis between Psoriatic Arthritis and Axial Spondyloarthritis

Background: Psychosocial health is a key driver of quality of life (QoL) in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but it is often overlooked in clinical practice. We aimed to analyze this aspect of QoL by using the Assessment of SpA International Society−Health Index (ASAS HI) in both SpA phenotypes. Patients and methods: One hundred and eleven patients with axSpA and 90 with PsA were consecutively recruited from two rheumatology centers. In both populations, the categories of stress handling (ASAS HI items #11 and 17) and emotional functions (ASAS HI item #13) were analyzed based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). A multivariate regression model was used to analyze the explanatory factors associated with positive responses to these items. Results: Thirty-four of the 90 PsA patients (37.8%) and 37/111 of the patients (33.3%) with axSpA reported a positive response to at least one of the stress-handling items. Compared to the patients with PsA, patients with axSpA were less likely to report stress-handling issues (OR 0.48, p < 0.05). Thirty-one of the 90 PsA patients (34.4%) and 44/111 of the patients (39.6%) with axSpA reported positive responses to item #13. In both groups of SpA patients, disease activity and severity (OR 6.6, p < 0.001) were independently associated with alterations in psychosocial health. Compared with those in the axSpA group, the psychosocial health items were better correlated with each other and with the ASAS HI sum score in the PsA group. Conclusions: Psychosocial health is frequently altered in SpA. Both disease activity and severity are associated with this issue. However, psychosocial factors seem to have a greater impact on QoL in PsA than in axSpA.

Functional and clinical outcome with modified lateral approach total hip arthroplasty in stiff hips with ankylosing spondylitis

BACKGROUND

Ankylosing spondylitis at total hip arthroplasty (THA) has significant hip stiffness with flexion deformity, restricted mobility, and function. Range of movement (ROM) improvement with good functional outcome is seen following THA in these hips. The modified Hardinge approach without abductor compromise is helpful in these stiff hips with associated flexion deformity.

AIM

To assess improvement in ROM and functional outcomes with a modified lateral approach THA in ankylosing spondylitis with stiff hips.

METHODS

A total of 69 hips that underwent THA with a modified Hardinge approach in 40 patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 38.33 mo. All individuals ambulated with weight-bearing as tolerated and ROM exercises from the 1^st postoperative day. Modified Harris hip score and ROM were assessed during follow-up. Quality of life assessments using the 36-item and 12-item short form health surveys were done along with clinical and functional outcomes at follow-up. SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. The correlation of ROM and functional score change was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine hips with a significant decrease in ROM preoperatively with 32 clinically fused hips showed significant improvement in flexion range. The mean flexion in 69 hips improved from 29.35 ± 31.38 degrees to 102.17 ± 10.48 degrees. The mean difference of 72.82 with a P value < 0.0001 was significant. In total, 45 out of 69 hips had flexion deformity, with 13 hips having a deformity above 30 degrees. The flexion during the follow-up was below 90 degrees in 3 hips. Eleven hips had flexion of 90 degrees at follow-up, while the remaining 55 hips had flexion above 100 degrees. Modified Harris hip score improved from 17.03 ± 6.02 to 90.66 ± 7.23 (P value < 0.0001). The 36-item short form health survey at the follow-up indicated health status in 40 patients as excellent in 11, very good in 20, good in 5, fair in 3, and poor in 1. The mean mental health score was 84.10 ± 11.58. Pain relief was good in all 69 hips. Altogether, 28/40 patients (70%) had no pain, 9 patients (22%) had occasional pain, and 3 patients (8%) had mild to moderate pain with unusual activity. Heterotopic ossification was seen in 21 hips with Brooker class 1 in 14 hips.

CONCLUSION

Modified Hardinge approach THA in ankylosing spondylitis with stiff hips with flexion deformity significantly improved ROM, Harris hip score, and quality of life indicated by the 36-item and 12-item short form health surveys.

Increased proportion of comorbidities but no deterioration of sexual quality of life during a 5-year follow-up in patients with axial spondyloarthritis in the biologic treatment era

OBJECTIVE

To explore patient perception of sexual quality of life (SQOL), an important category of QOL, in male and female patients with axial SpA (axSpA) after a 5 year follow-up.

METHODS

A broad spectrum of demographic, disease-related, treatment and SQOL data was collected at baseline and at the 5 year follow-up. SQOL was assessed by the SQOL-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire. For statistical analysis, McNemar's tests, paired t-tests and multiple regression analyses were applied.

RESULTS

A total of 245 axSpA patients (168 men and 77 women) from outpatient clinics were examined (mean age 46 years, mean disease duration 11.9 years at baseline). Compared with baseline, the patients had lower CRP, lower Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Scores, lower BASFI scores, less use of smoking and significantly more patients were treated with biologic DMARDs at the 5 year follow-up. Patient perception of SQOL was basically unchanged at the 5 year follow-up despite a significantly increased proportion of comorbidities, including cardiovascular, endocrine and gastrointestinal disease. A decrease in SQOL after 5 years was observed only in patients exercising <1 h/week at baseline (P = 0.048) and in patients >65 years old.

CONCLUSION

In our axSpA patients, no statistically significant changes in SQOL were observed over 5 years, despite a significant increase in comorbidities. Overall disease symptoms decreased, indicating better disease control. Increased use of biologic drugs at the 5 year follow-up may have contributed to this favourable outcome.

Investigating diagnosis, treatment, and burden of disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Central Eastern Europe and the United States: a real-world study

Introduction/Objectives

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated condition. We compared AS diagnosis, treatment, and burden in Central Eastern European countries (CEE), where this has been less researched, and the United States (US) from a real-world perspective.

Methods

Point-in-time survey of rheumatologists and their AS patients was conducted in the US (Apr–Oct 2018) and CEE (Aug–Nov 2019) via physician- and patient-completed record forms, including clinical and patient-reported outcomes. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and generalized linear models.

Results

In total, 487 patients were recruited from 88 rheumatologists in the US and 922 patients from 126 rheumatologists in CEE. Time from onset of symptoms to final AS diagnosis was longer in CEE than the US (4.2 vs 2.7 years, p < 0.05). At diagnosis, a greater use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and injected steroids was reported in CEE vs the US (43.7% vs 27.6%, p < 0.05; 19.3% vs 8.7%, p < 0.05). 22.9% of US patients received a biologic DMARD at diagnosis vs 10% of CEE patients (p < 0.05). At current consultation, biologic DMARD use in CEE was lower vs the US (27.9% vs 71.0%, p < 0.05). CEE vs US patients had greater disease activity (mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index 4.2 vs 3.1, p < 0.05) and worse quality of life (QoL; mean Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire score 6.2 vs 8.4, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

AS patients in CEE vs the US faced slower diagnosis and worse access to biologics, disease activity, and QoL. Whether early access to biologics can improve symptoms, QoL, and daily activities in AS patients in CEE remains to be seen.

Key Points • The study provided evidence on the real-world approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and burden of axSpA (axial spondyloarthritis) in CEE compared with the US. • The study reported patients in CEE experienced longer delays in diagnosis and poorer access to biologics than in the US. • This may have resulted in higher disease activity, greater levels of pain, and poorer outcomes, as reported by patients with axSpA in CEE.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10067-021-05864-8.

Benefit of Biological Drugs for Quality of Life in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease involving the axial skeleton, peripheral joints, and extra-articular manifestations like psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, or uveitis. A deterioration of quality of life (QoL) affects the disease management and therapeutic decision-making. This meta-analysis focused on the influence of biological drugs on the QoL in SA compared to the effects of other therapeutic modalities. We searched the databases of MedLine, Academic Search Ultimate, CINAHL Complete, and Health Source - Nursing/Academic Edition for articles related to AS treatment using the terms "ankylosing spondylitis" OR "rheumatoid spondylitis" OR "spondylitis" AND "quality of life" OR "patient-reported outcomes" OR "well-being" OR "health-related quality of life" OR "biological treatment". The search came up with 10 English-language articles published between 2010 and 2020. Patients were evaluated with the following indexes and questionnaires: Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional (BASFI) Indexes. We found that the QoL, assessed with the ASQoL, improved significantly better in patients treated with biological drugs when compared to those treated with other standard therapies or placebo at a 4-month follow-up. However, improvements in other disease characteristics could not be differentiated based on the therapy modality. The finding that biological drugs are superior in improving the QoL should strengthen the recommendations for their use in patients with AS.