Evaluation of the comorbidity burden in patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors using a large administrative claims data set

Real-life data on the comorbidities in spondyloarthritis from our multicenter nationwide registry: BioStar

Objectives

Considering that the comorbid situations during the management of Spondyloarthritis (SpA) have been underlined in several recommendations, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the comorbid conditions of Turkish patients with SpA.

Patients and methods

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 1,242 SpA patients (844 males, 398 females; mean age: 43.9±11.0 years; range, 19 to 81 years) diagnosed according to the modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis or the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria. The patient data were collected from the Biologic and targeted Synthetic antirheumatic drugs Registry (BioStar) between February 1, 2019, and December 29, 2020. Clinical and demographic data, including, age, sex, disease duration, body mass index (BMI), pain, patient's global assessment, physician's global assessment, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, and Maastricht Enthesitis Score, were recorded. Comorbid conditions were recorded by filling out a questionnaire according to the clinical history or medical records. Charlson Comorbidity Index and Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index scores were calculated from the gathered comorbidity information.

Results

Nine hundred thirteen patients had radiographic axial SpA, 153 had nonradiographic axial SpA, and 176 had peripheral SpA. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (HT) (n=167, 13.4%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (n=83, 6.7%), thyroid disorders (n=64, 5.6%), and depression (n=61, 4.9%). The comorbidities and the calculated comorbidity indices were significantly higher in females, in those with a BMI >25 kg/m2 , and those over 60 years of age. No relationship was found between smoking and alcohol use and comorbidities. A significantly higher prevalence of HT and DM in peripheral SpA patients and a lower prevalence of thyroid disorders in radiographic axial SpA patients were observed.

Conclusion

The most commonly reported comorbidities were HT, DM, thyroid disorders, and depression in SpA patients according to the BioStar database. The frequency of comorbidities and composite comorbidity scores were higher among females, older (>60 years) patients, and overweight (BMI >25 kg/m2 ) patients.

The Risk and Predictors of Malignancies in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients in Israel-A Retrospective Electronic Data-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies demonstrated unclear and vast variability in the association between Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and the risk of cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the risk of overall and site-specific malignancies for AS patients in Israel, while examining the role of comorbidities and immunomodulatory therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective electronic data-based study including all AS patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2018, with no history of cancer prior to enrollment, with 5:1 ratio matched-control by age, gender, and place of residence. The odds Ratios (OR) for site-specific malignancies, comparing AS patients and controls, were calculated using logistic regression. Risk factors for malignancies within the AS cohort were evaluated in the same manner.

RESULTS

This study comprised 5825 AS patients and 28,356 matched controls. There was a higher overall risk of cancer in AS patients compared to controls (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.24-1.6), specifically for solid malignancies (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.7), CNS (OR = 3.72, 95% CI 1.29-10.7), kidney (OR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.12-3.8), and malignancy of unknown primary (OR = 3.06, 95% CI 2.35-3.98). Regarding predictors for malignancy within AS patients, older age at diagnosis (OR = 1.31, 95%,CI 1.25-2.36), diabetes (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.18-1.97), IBD (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.75-3.89), and treatment with DMARDs (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.65-2.83) were associated with a higher risk of solid malignancies, while NSAIDs treatment alone had a protective effect for solid malignancies (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.61-0.99). No significant association was found between anti-TNF therapy and the risk of solid or hematologic malignancies within the AS group.

CONCLUSION

AS is associated with an increased risk of overall and site-specific malignancies, with independently higher risk for older age, comorbidity of DM, IBD, and treatment with DMARDs.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Risk in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis Treated With Biologic Agents Determined Using the BSRBR-AS and a MetaAnalysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine, among patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), whether the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) varies between patients treated with biologic therapies and those treated with other therapies and, specifically, whether the risk is higher in patients treated with etanercept (ETN).

METHODS

The British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register in Ankylosing Spondylitis (BSRBR-AS) was used to determine the incidence of IBD during follow-up and to calculate the incidence rate difference (IRD) per 1000 person-years (PY), between biologic treatment and other treatment groups. We then conducted a systematic review, involving observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to perform a metaanalysis to quantify the difference in incidence of IBD between treatment groups.

RESULTS

According to the BSRBR-AS, among people with axSpA, exposure to biologic therapy was associated with an increased incidence of IBD compared to those who were not exposed to biologic therapy (IRD 11.9, 95% CI 4.3-19.6). This finding was replicated across observational studies but was not seen in placebo-controlled RCTs (IRD 2.2, 95% CI -4.1 to 8.5). Data from the BSRBR-AS do not suggest that excess incidence of IBD is associated with exposure to ETN compared to other anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapies (IRD -6.5, 95% CI -21.3 to 8.5). RCTs and their extensions suggest a small-yet not statistically significant-absolute increased incidence associated with ETN of between 2.1 and 5.8 per 1000 PY compared to other anti-TNF therapies.

CONCLUSION

There was an excess risk of IBD among persons treated with biologics in observational studies. Only evidence from RCTs suggested that ETN was associated with an increased risk compared to other anti-TNF therapies, albeit with considerable uncertainty.

Efficacy and safety of biological DMARDs: a systematic literature review informing the 2022 update of the ASAS-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To update the evidence on efficacy and safety of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) to inform the 2022 update of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (ASAS-EULAR) recommendations for the management of axSpA.

METHODS

Systematic literature review (2016-2021) on efficacy and safety of bDMARDs in axSpA (radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA)/non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA)). Eligible study designs included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), strategy trials and observational studies (the latter only for safety and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations). All relevant efficacy/safety outcomes were included.

RESULTS

In total, 148 publications were included. Efficacy of golimumab and certolizumab was confirmed. Tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) biosimilar-originator equivalence was demonstrated. RCT (n=15) data on efficacy of interleukin-17 inhibitors (IL-17i) demonstrated clinically relevant effects (risk ratio vs placebo to achieve ASAS40 response 1.3-15.3 (r-axSpA, n=9), 1.4-2.1 (nr-axSpA, n=2)). Efficacy of secukinumab/ixekizumab was demonstrated in TNFi-naïve and TNFi-inadequate responders. IL-23 and IL-12/23 inhibitors (risankizumab/ustekinumab) failed to show relevant benefits. Tapering of TNFi by spacing was non-inferior to standard-dose treatment. The first axSpA treat-to-target trial did not meet its primary endpoint, but showed improvements in secondary outcomes. No new risks were identified with TNFi use in observational studies (data lacking for IL-17i). Secukinumab (n=1) and etanercept (n=2) were associated with increased risk of uveitis in observational studies compared to monoclonal TNFi.

CONCLUSIONS

New evidence supports the efficacy and safety of TNFi (originators/biosimilars) and IL-17i in r-axSpA and nr-axSpA, while IL-23i failed to show relevant effects. Observational studies are needed to confirm long-term IL-17i safety.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021257588.

A Road Map of the Axial Spondyloarthritis Continuum

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by inflammatory low back pain, inflammation in peripheral joints and entheses, and other extra-articular or systemic manifestations. Although our understanding of the natural history of axSpA has been limited by incomplete knowledge of disease pathogenesis, axSpA is increasingly understood as a spectrum of axial, peripheral, and extra-articular inflammatory conditions that includes nonradiographic axSpA and radiographic axSpA, also known as ankylosing spondylitis. In this narrative review, we present a road map of this axSpA continuum, highlighting genetic risk factors for the development of axSpA, triggers of disease, and reasons for and implications of diagnostic delay. We present a detailed overview of the spectrum of axSpA clinical manifestations and highlight factors known to influence the risk of disease progression. Finally, we provide some expert commentary on the practical use of this road map to assist health care providers in the identification of axSpA in clinical practice.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Adverse Events with Anti-Interleukin 17A Agents and Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Rheumatic Disease and Skin Psoriasis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this work is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) and anti-interleukin-17 (anti-IL-17) trials for spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis comparing rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) events compared to placebo.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library were searched for double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled anti-TNF and anti-IL-17 trials of included diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease events from the RCT period were pooled and meta-analyzed using statistical methods suitable for low-event-rate meta-analysis (Peto's, Mantel-Haenszel, hypergeometric-normal model, and Shuster-Guo-Skyler). When observed data were insufficient, we performed an exploratory sensitivity analysis to compare methods.

RESULTS

We identified 9551 original papers, and included 96 publications: 65 anti-TNF and 31 anti-IL-17 trials, containing 21 new and 12 flare IBD events in 28,209 participants. New IBD on anti-IL-17 occurred 0.23/100 patient-years (PY) in psoriasis, 0.61/100 PY in PsA and 1.63/100 PY in spondyloarthritis, rates similar to observational cohorts, and less commonly on anti-TNF (0/100 PY, 0/100 PY, 0.32/100 PY, respectively). No evidence of difference between groups was found, with wide CI from many pooled counts of zero, especially in placebo arms.

CONCLUSIONS

IBD events were rare, occurring at rates similar to biologic-naive groups. We could not find statistically significant differences in risk of new or recurrent IBD between treatment and control groups using selected meta-analytical methods for low event rate scenarios. Meta-analyses of this topic require more IBD events, ideally without pooling heterogeneous groups. Larger, thoroughly reported trials with systematic and detailed safety reporting are required to improve risk estimation and to make accurate inferences.

Prevalence and factors related to sleep apnoea in ankylosing spondylitis

An increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been suggested in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a few controlled studies. We aimed to study the prevalence of OSA compared to controls and to investigate if disease-related and non-disease-related factors were determinants of OSA in AS patients. One hundred and fifty-five patients with AS were included in the Backbone study, a cross-sectional study that investigates severity and comorbidities in AS. Controls were recruited from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study. To evaluate OSA, the participants were asked to undergo home sleep-monitoring during one night’s sleep. For each AS patient 45–70 years old, four controls were matched for sex, age, weight, and height. OSA was defined as an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥ 5 events/hour. Sixty-three patients with AS were examined with home sleep-monitoring, and 179 controls were matched with 46 patients, 45–70 years. Twenty-two out of 46 (47.8%) patients with AS vs. 91/179 (50.8%) controls had OSA (AHI ≥ 5 events/hour), P = 0.72. No differences in the sleep measurements were noted in AS patients vs. controls. In logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, higher age, higher BMI, and lesser chest expansion were associated with the presence of OSA in the 63 AS patients. In the current study, patients with AS did not have a higher prevalence of OSA compared to matched controls. AS patients with OSA had higher BMI, were older, and had lesser chest expansion because of more severe AS compared to patients without OSA.

Key points
• Patients with ankylosing spondylitis did not have a higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea versus matched controls.
• Patients with ankylosing spondylitis and obstructive sleep apnoea were older and had higher body mass index versus patients without obstructive sleep apnoea.
• Patients with ankylosing spondylitis and obstructive sleep apnoea had lesser chest expansion versus patients without obstructive sleep apnoea.

Identifying Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis in Large Datasets: Expanding Possibilities for Observational Research

OBJECTIVE

Observational research of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is limited by a lack of methods for identifying diverse axSpA phenotypes in large datasets. Algorithms were previously designed to identify a broad spectrum of patients with axSpA, including patients not identifiable with diagnosis codes. The study objective was to estimate the performance of axSpA identification methods in the general Veterans Affairs (VA) population.

METHODS

A patient sample with known axSpA status (n = 300) was established with chart review. For feasibility, this sample was enriched with veterans with axSpA risk factors. Algorithm performance outcomes included sensitivities, positive predictive values (PPV), and F1 scores (an overall performance metric combining sensitivity and PPV). Performance was estimated with unweighted outcomes for the axSpA-enriched sample and inverse probability weighted (IPW) outcomes for the general VA population. These outcomes were also assessed for traditional identification methods using diagnosis codes for the ankylosing spondylitis (AS) subtype of axSpA.

RESULTS

The mean age was 54.7 and 92% were male. Unweighted F1 scores (0.59-0.74) were higher than IPW F1 scores (0.48-0.65). The full algorithm had the best overall performance (F1_IPW 0.65). The Early Algorithm was the most inclusive (sensitivity_IPW 0.90, PPV_IPW 0.38). The traditional method using ≥ 2 AS diagnosis codes from rheumatology had the highest PPV (PPV_IPW 0.84, sensitivity_IPW 0.34).

CONCLUSION

The axSpA identification methods demonstrated a range of performance attributes in the general VA population that may be appropriate for various types of studies. The novel identification algorithms may expand the scope of research by enabling identification of more diverse axSpA populations.

Depression in patients with spondyloarthritis: prevalence, incidence, risk factors, mechanisms and management

Depression is a major neuropsychiatric disorder common in patients with rheumatological conditions including spondyloarthritis (SpA). It is associated with higher disease activity, functional impairment, poor treatment response and quality of life in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Using ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) as examples, we have reviewed the evidence regarding the burden, risk factors, potential mechanisms and clinical management of depression in spondyloarthritis. The prevalence of depression is higher in patients with AS and PsA compared with the general population, with evidence of moderate/severe depression in about 15% of patients with AS or PsA. Mild depression is even more common and estimated to be present in about 40% of patients with AS. In addition to conventional risk factors such as stressful life events and socioeconomic deprivation, increased risk of depression in SpA may be associated with disease-related factors, such as disease activity, poor quality of life, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Emerging evidence implicates inflammation in the aetiology of depression, which could also be a shared mechanism for depression and chronic inflammatory conditions such as AS and PsA. It is imperative for clinicians to actively assess and treat depression in SpA, as this could improve treatment adherence, quality of life, and overall long-term clinical and occupational outcomes. The use of validated tools can aid recognition and management of depression in rheumatology clinics. Management of depression in SpA, especially when to refer to specialist mental health services, are discussed.

Recognizing Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Guide for Primary Care

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an important cause of chronic low back pain and affects approximately 1% of the US population. The back pain associated with axSpA has a characteristic pattern referred to as inflammatory back pain (IBP). Features of IBP include insidious onset before age 45 years, association with morning stiffness, improvement with exercise but not rest, alternating buttock pain, and good response to treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In patients with IBP, it is essential to look for other features associated with spondyloarthritis (SpA), such as enthesitis, dactylitis, peripheral arthritis, extra-articular manifestations (eg, psoriasis, uveitis, or inflammatory bowel disease), human leukocyte antigen B27 positivity, and a family history of SpA. Axial SpA is underrecognized, and a delay of several years between symptom onset and diagnosis is common. However, with new and effective therapies available for the treatment of active axSpA, early recognition and diagnosis are of critical importance. For this narrative review, we conducted a literature search of English-language articles using PubMed. Individual searches were performed to identify potential articles of interest related to axSpA (search terms: ["axSpA" OR "axial SpA" OR "axial spondyloarthritis" OR "ankylosing spondylitis"]) in combination with terms related to IBP ("inflammatory back pain" OR "IBP" OR "chronic back pain" OR "CBP" OR "lower back pain" OR "LBP"), diagnosis (["diagn∗" OR "classification"] AND ["criteria" OR "recommend∗" OR "guidelines"]), and referral ("refer∗"). No date range was formally selected, as we were interested in providing an overview of the evolution of these concepts in clinical practice. We supplemented the review with insights based on our clinical expertise. Patients with chronic back pain should be screened for IBP and other SpA features; suspicion for axSpA should trigger referral to a rheumatologist for further evaluation.

Prevalence and impact of comorbidities in axial spondyloarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Comorbidities are common in people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to: (i) describe the prevalence of commonly reported comorbidities, (ii) compare comorbidities between axSpA and control populations, and (iii) examine the impact of comorbidity burden on axSpA outcomes.

METHODS

We systematically searched Medline, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science using a predefined protocol in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We excluded studies of only one comorbid condition or a few closely related diseases within one organ system. Where possible, meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 40 studies were included for analysis. 36 studies reported prevalence of comorbidities, amounting to a combined sample size of 119 427 patients. The number of comorbidities studied ranged from 3 to 43. The most prevalent individual comorbidities were hypertension (pooled prevalence 23%), hyperlipidaemia (17%) and obesity (14%). Eleven studies consistently showed higher prevalence of comorbidities in axSpA than controls, particularly large differences were seen for depression [pooled odds ratio (OR) 1.80] and heart failure (OR 1.84). Comorbidities (total number of and individual conditions) were also associated with axSpA disease activity, functional impairment, quality of life, work productivity and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidities are common in axSpA, particularly cardiovascular diseases and risk factors. Most comorbidities were more prevalent in axSpA patients than in control populations. Overall comorbidity burden, and many individual conditions, were associated with axSpA outcomes including worse disease severity, work productivity and mortality.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Associated With Risk of New-Onset Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Objectives: Investigating the risk of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) among ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients based on administrative healthcare databases.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide cohort study by using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database with 1997–2013 claim records. The AS cohort included 2,210 patients who were newly diagnosed between 2003 and 2013. Randomly selected non-AS controls were matched at a 1:4 ratio. The endpoint was set as OSA occurrence or the end of 2013. Cumulative incidences, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated after adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, and co-medication. Multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Due to the violation of the proportionality assumption, landmark analysis was conducted to explore the risk of OSA during specific follow-up periods.

Results: The adjusted HR (aHR) of OSA in the AS group was 2.826 (95% C.I. = 1.727–4.625) compared to the control group. On landmark analysis, aHR was 7.919 (95% C.I. = 3.169–19.792) for the AS group 0–24 months from the index date and decreased to 1.816 (95% C.I. = 0.944–3.494) at ≥ 24 months from the index date. The increased risks of OSA in the AS group compared to the control group were found for both males and females (aHRs were 4.533 and 2.672). On age-stratified analysis, a significant risk only for the 40–59 age group with aHR of 3.913 (95% C.I. = 1.890–8.102).

Conclusions: A higher risk of developing OSA was found among newly diagnosed AS cohort during the maximum 11-year follow-up period, especially within 2 years after newly diagnosed AS and in the 40–59 age group.

The promise and perils of 'Big Data': focus on spondyloarthritis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review will describe the available large-scale data sources to study spondyloarthritis (SpA), enumerate approaches to identify SpA and its disease-related manifestations and outcomes, and will outline existing and future methods to collect novel data types [e.g. patient-reported outcomes (PRO), passive data from wearables and biosensors].

RECENT FINDINGS

In addition to traditional clinic visit-based SpA registries, newer data sources, such as health plan claims data, single and multispecialty electronic health record (EHR) based registries, patient registries and linkages between data sources, have catalyzed the breadth and depth of SpA research. Health activity tracker devices and PRO collected via PROMIS instruments have been shown to have good validity when assessed in SpA patients as compared to legacy disease-specific instruments. In certain cases, machine learning outperforms traditional methods to identify SpA and its associated manifestations in EHR and claims data, and may predict disease flare.

SUMMARY

Although caution remains in the application of newer data sources and methods including the important need for replication, the availability of new data sources, health tracker devices and analytic methods holds great promise to catalyze SpA research.

Cohort identification of axial spondyloarthritis in a large healthcare dataset: current and future methods

BACKGROUND

Big data research is important for studying uncommon diseases in real-world settings. Most big data studies in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have been limited to populations identified with billing codes for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). axSpA is a more inclusive concept, and reliance on AS codes does not produce a comprehensive axSpA study population. The first objective was to describe our process for establishing an appropriate sample of patients with and without axSpA for developing accurate axSpA identification methods. The second objective was to determine the classification performance of AS billing codes against the chart-reviewed axSpA reference standard.

METHODS

Veteran Health Affairs clinical and administrative data, between January 2005 and June 2015, were used to randomly select patients with clinical phenotypes that represented high, moderate, and low likelihoods of an axSpA diagnosis. With chart review, the sampled patients were classified as Yes axSpA, No axSpA or Uncertain axSpA, and these classification assignments were used as the reference standard for determining the positive predictive value (PPV) and sensitivity of AS ICD-9 codes for axSpA.

RESULTS

Six hundred patients were classified as Yes axSpA (26.8%), No axSpA (68.3%), or Uncertain axSpA (4.8%). The PPV and sensitivity of an AS ICD-9 code for axSpA were 83.3% and 57.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Standard methods of identifying axSpA patients in a large dataset lacked sensitivity. An appropriate sample of patients with and without axSpA was established and characterized for developing novel axSpA identification methods that are anticipated to enable previously impractical big data research.