scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 infections in children and adolescents with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases – data from the National Pediatric Rheumatology Database in Germany

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Sengler ◽  
Sascha Eulert ◽  
Martina Niewerth ◽  
Kirsten Minden ◽  
Gerd Horneff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Activity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Pediatric Rheumatology ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Biologic Dmards ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Failure ◽  
Treatment Data ◽  
Systemic Glucocorticoids

ABSTRACTObjectivesDue to their underlying disease as well as therapeutic immunosuppression, children and adolescents with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) may be at higher risk for a severe course or worse outcome of COVID-19, and SARS-CoV2 infection may trigger a flare of the RMD. To address these issues, a specific SARS-CoV-2 questionnaire was implemented in the National Pediatric Rheumatology Database (NPRD) in Germany.MethodsDemographic, clinical and treatment data from juvenile patients with RMD as well as data about SARS-CoV-2 infection like test date and method, clinical characteristics, disease course, outcome and impact on the disease activity of the RMD documented on this questionnaire were analyzed.ResultsFrom April 17th, 2020, to February 14th, 2021, data were collected from 79 patients (53% female) with RMD with median age of 14 years, diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (57%), autoinflammatory (23%) and connective tissue disease (8%). Sixty-one patients (77%) received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), 43% biologic DMARDs, and 9% systemic glucocorticoids. Sixty patients (76%) developed symptoms of COVID-19. Disease severity was mild and outcome was good in the majority of patients. Two patients were hospitalized, one of whom required intensive care and died of cardiorespiratory failure. In 84% of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, no relevant increase in disease activity of the RMD was observed.ConclusionsIn our cohort, COVID-19 in juvenile patients with RMD under various medications was mild with good outcome in the majority of cases. SARS-CoV-2 infection does not appear to have a relevant impact on disease activity of the underlying condition.

scholarly journals Clinical manifestations and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infections in children and adolescents with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases: data from the National Paediatric Rheumatology Database in Germany

RMD Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e001687
Author(s):  
Claudia Sengler ◽  
Sascha Eulert ◽  
Kirsten Minden ◽  
Martina Niewerth ◽  
Gerd Horneff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Activity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Paediatric Rheumatology ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Failure ◽  
Treatment Data ◽  
Systemic Glucocorticoids

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations, course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children and adolescents with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD). Due to their underlying disease as well due to therapeutic immunosuppression, these patients may be at risk for a severe course of COVID-19 or for a flare of the underlying disease triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection.MethodsDemographic, clinical and treatment data from juvenile patients with RMD as well as data about SARS-CoV-2 infection like test date and method, clinical characteristics, disease course, outcome and impact on the disease activity of the RMD were documented on a specific SARS-CoV-2 questionnaire implemented in the National Paediatric Rheumatology Database (NPRD) in Germany. The survey data were analysed descriptively.ResultsFrom 17 April 2020 to 16 February 2021, data were collected from 76 patients (52% female) with RMD and laboratory-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection with median age of 14 years, diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (58%), autoinflammatory (24%) and connective tissue disease (8%). Fifty-eight patients (76%) received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), 41% biological DMARDs and 11% systemic glucocorticoids. Fifty-eight (76%) had symptoms of COVID-19. Disease course of SARS-CoV-2 infection (classified as asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, life-threatening) was mild and outcome of COVID-19 (classified as recovered, not yet recovered, permanent damage or deceased) was good (recovered) in the majority of patients. Two patients were hospitalised, one of whom required intensive care and died of cardiorespiratory failure. In 84% of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, no relevant increase in disease activity of the RMD was observed.ConclusionsIn our cohort, SARS-CoV-2 infection in juvenile patients with RMD under various medications was mild with good outcome in the majority of cases and does not appear to have a relevant impact on disease activity of the underlying condition.

scholarly journals POS1199 CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SARS-CoV2 INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH RHEUMATIC AND MUSCULUSKELETAL DISEASES – SURVEY DATA FROM GERMANY

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 882.1-882
Author(s):  
C. Sengler ◽  
S. Eulert ◽  
M. Niewerth ◽  
T. Kallinich ◽  
H. Wittkowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Activity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
German Society ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Failure

Background:Although children and adolescents are less likely to develop COVID-19 and generally show milder disease courses, it is unclear what impact the SARS-CoV2 infection has on children and adolescents with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD). Due to their underlying disease as well as therapeutic immunosuppression these patients may be at higher risk of being more severely affected by SARS-CoV2. Furthermore, SARS-CoV2 infection might trigger a flare of the underlying disease.Objectives:To evaluate clinical characteristics and disease course of COVID-19 in children and adolescents with RMD and to analyze possible effects of SARS-CoV2 infection on the underlying disease under different therapeutic regimens.Methods:Data from juvenile patients with RMD recorded via the SARS-CoV2 questionnaire within the National Pediatric Rheumatology Database and the registry for hospitalized children and adolescents with COVID-19 of the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases were analyzed. In addition to age, sex and diagnosis, information was collected about the date and method of a positive SARS-CoV2 testing, reason for testing, on clinical manifestations, disease course, treatment and outcome of COVID-19, on drug therapy at the time of virus detection, on disease activity (NRS 0 – 10, 0 = best) of the underlying disease at the last visit before and after the SARS-CoV2 infection.Results:From April 17th 2020 until January 25th 2021, data of 67 patients with RMD and confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection were collected. Mean age was 13.5 ± 3.9 years with equal sex distribution. The majority of patients were diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, 64%), 12 (18%) patients had an autoinflammatory disease (FMF, CAPS, PFAPA, TRAPS) and 5 (7%) a connective tissue disease. Fifty-two patients (78%) were treated with a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), 39% with a biological DMARD and 9% systemic glucocorticoids at the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nineteen patients (28%) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 because of typical symptoms, the majority (67%) because of contact to an infected person. PCR was used most often (in 60 %).52 patients (78%) developed symptoms of COVID-19, 15 patients remained asymptomatic. The most common symptom of COVID-19 was rhinitis (42%) and fever (38%), followed by fatigue (34%), taste/smell disorder (33%), sore throat (27%) and cough (23%).Disease severity was graded as mild in 44 of 52 (85%) symptomatic patients, only two patients were hospitalized, one of whom required intensive care and died of cardiorespiratory failure 3 days after symptom onset. In 22 of 26 (85%) SARS-CoV2-positive patients, no relevant increase in disease activity (difference in NRS ≤ 1 before/after infection) of the underlying disease was observed 31 days after symptom onset (median, IQR 17-52 days). One patient, who had paused tocilizumab for 2 doses, experienced a flare of his seronegative polyarthritis 2 months after asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.Conclusion:In our cohort, the clinical picture of COVID-19 in children and adolescents with RMD was similar to that of healthy peers. The majority of patients showed mild disease course with good outcome under various medications, however, one patient with a severe course of COVID-19 died. In addition, SARS-CoV2 infection does not appear to have a relevant impact on the underlying disease activity, whereas discontinuation of therapy might pose a risk of flare.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

scholarly journals AB0655 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ACTIVITY BEFORE AND AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN PERIOD

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1360.1-1360
Author(s):  
M. Jordhani ◽  
D. Ruci ◽  
F. Skana ◽  
E. Memlika
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
World Population ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Das 28 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

Background:The COVID-19 global pandemic has had a great impact on world population due to morbidity, mortality and restriction measures in order to stop the progression of COVID-19.Patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletic diseases, and especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, being one of the vulnerable classes of chronic patients, were recommended to follow the government’s rules1.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate DAS-28-ESR in patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and after lockdown period.Methods:This is a multi-center observational study including 85 patients which were evaluated before and after lockdown for their disease activity score according to DAS-28-ESR score. They had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis more than 5 years ago. A thorough physical examination was performed before and after the lockdown period. It included examination of tender and swollen joints and patient’s global health. They were completed with all required laboratory data, including erythrosedimentation rate. For a more accurate calculation, DAS-28-ESR was used in an electronic version. Patients with other inflammatory or infective diseases were excluded from the study. All data were statistically evaluated using statistical tests such as t-student test.Results:The first group (the one before lockdown) had an average DAS-28-ESR of 4.7 while after the lockdown period, the average DAS-28-ESR was 5.16.After statistically evaluating all data, it was found that there exists a significant difference between DAS-28-ESR score before and after COVID-19 lockdown (p=0.0011).Conclusion:Our study showed that lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic, has aggravated disease activity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This may be consequence of various causes such as physical inactivity and difficulty to follow-up or to take the medication properly.References:[1]Landewé RB, Machado PM, Kroon F, et al, EULAR provisional recommendations for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in the context of SARS-CoV-2, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2020;79:851-858.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

scholarly journals AB0277 PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS MARKERS IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH BIOLOGICAL DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS: RESULTS OF THE TUNISIAN REGISTRY BINAR

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1437.1-1438
Author(s):  
A. Fazaa ◽  
H. Boussaa ◽  
S. Miladi ◽  
K. Ouenniche ◽  
L. Souabni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Liver Function ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Liver Function Tests ◽  
Hbv Dna ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Hbs Ag

Background:In the recent decades, biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) have significantly improved management and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA).However, bDMARDs have also a strong influence on the immune system, leading to a risk of serious infection. Reactivation of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus is one of the most redoubtable complications of these immunosuppressive agents.Objectives:The aims of this study were to determine the screening rate for hepatitis B and C before starting a biological treatment and to examine the prevalence of their markers in patients with RA or SpA.Methods:Our study evaluated all patients included in the Tunisian registry BINAR (Biologic National Registry) since 2018 who had RA (ACR/EULAR 2010) or SpA (ASAS criteria) aged with more than eighteen years old and receiving their first bDMARDs during the two past years.The following information were retrieved from the registry: demographic data on the patients, disease parameters, medication, HBV surface antigen (HBs Ag), antibody to HBs Ag (Anti HBs), antibody to HBV core antigen (Anti HBc), HBV-DNA, antibody to HCV (anti HCV) status and liver function tests (AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT:alanine aminotransferase).Results:A total of 298 patients was included, 111 men and 178 women, with a mean age of 49.2 ± 14.1 years old [18-79]. Among them, 58.7% were diagnosed with RA and 41.3% were diagnosed with SpA. The mean disease duration was 6.7±3.5 years [1-12] in patients with RA and 6.5±3 [1-12] in patients with SpA. The mean Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) were respectively of 4.9±1.5 [1-8] and 4.1±1.8 [0-9].Therapeutically, 167 patients (56%) were on Prednisone at a mean daily posology of 8.2±5.4 mg [4-60] and 70.3% on conventional synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) in association with bDMARDs. It was about Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha antibodies (anti TNF a) in 87.9% of cases, Tocilizumab in 10.4% of cases and Rituximab in 5% of cases.A screening of HBV was performed in 286 patients (96%). Ag HBs was positive in two cases (0.7%), and anti-HBc was positive in 16 cases (6.4%) which indicate a prior HBV infection. Fifteen patients (6%) were immunized with positive anti HBs. HBV-DNA was measured in 177 cases (66.8%) and was positive in 15 patients (6%).HCV infection was searched in 282 patients (94.6%) and anti-HCV was negative in all cases.AST and ALT mean rates were respectively of 18.3 [2-108] and 17.9 UI/l [2-74]. A perturbation of these liver function tests was observed in 13 patients (4.4%).Conclusion:Screening for hepatitis B and C were performed respectively in 96% and 94% of our Tunisian patients before receiving any bDMARDs. This should be systematic to avoid HBV reactivation which can lead to fulminant hepatic failure with a severe prognosis.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals AB1119 U9: A NOVEL CLINICALLY ORIENTED ULTRASONOGRAPHIC SCALE AS A USEFUL MARKER FOR MONITORING THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (MULTI CENTERS STUDY)

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1848.2-1849
Author(s):  
M. A. Mortada ◽  
H. Eitta ◽  
R. Elmallah ◽  
A. Radwan ◽  
A. Elsaman
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
P Value ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Biologic Dmards ◽  
Das 28 ◽  
Significant Difference

Background:Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography (MSUS) is now a widely used tool for monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although there are many proposed sets of composite scores, a fixed set of joints may not be an ideal tool to assess a disease like RA, which affects many joints and tendons in different presentations. In previous study (1) U9 score was proven to be correlated with disease activity parameters.Objectives:To determine whether US assessment using U9 score is useful for monitoring response to treatment for RA or not?Methods:A prospective, multicenter study were conducted in period from July 2019 to December 2019. All recruited RA patients were subjected to: Disease activity assessment by clinical disease activity indices (CDAI and DAS28 ESR). Functional status assessment by (HAQ) and ultrasonographic assessment using U9 score which include 8 joints (bilateral wrists,2ndMCP,3RDMCP and knees) plus most clinically affected joint or tendon (one joint or one tendon). Most clinically affected joints from 48 joints. Any affected tendons could be choosing. All targeted joints were evaluated according to EULAR guidlines and by EULAR/ OMERACT combined score (0-3). Targeted tendons were scored (0-3).All patients received their treatment (biologic and non biologic DMARDs) according to the decision of the treating physicians. No specific therapy is needed. CDAI and DAS28 ESR, HAQ and U9 score were repeated after 3 months to detect the response to change after receiving the therapy.Results:One hundred and forty patients (23.6% were male) with mean age 39.26±11.30 were recruited from 4 tertiary referral university hospitals.There was a significant difference (<0.001) between the first and second visits as regards clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic parameters. DAS 28 decreased form (5.29±1.21) to (3.95±0.99), ESR decreased from (42.12±15.24) to (26.84±12.32), HAQ2 improved from (0.652±0.350) to (0.510±0.237) and U9 total US score decreased from (13.56±5.18) to (8.02±4.28).There was significant correlation between U9 ultrasonographic score and clinical parameters at both visits (table 1).Table 1.correlation between U9 ultrasonographic score and clinical parameters.U9 at 1stvisitU9 at 2ndvisitDAS-28Pearson Correlation(P value)0.806<0.0010.790<0.001CDAIPearson Correlation(P value)0.787<0.0010.773<0.001HAQPearson Correlation(P value)0.431<0.0010.317<0.001We found that the most suitable cut-off value of U9 score to predict high disease activity was 11.5 (sensitivity 85.7% and specificity 80.6%), cut off value for moderate disease activity was 5.5(sensitivity 83.2% and specificity 88%) and cut off value for low disease activity was 3.5 (sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity 57.1%). These results are summarized in the following table:Conclusion:U9 ultrasonographic score is very useful method for evaluating the monitoring the response of treatment.References:[1]Mortada, et al. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2019;78:1009.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Environmental pollution with fluoride compounds and their influence on children health

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (12) ◽  
pp. 1133-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara I. Shalina ◽  
L. A. Nikolaeva ◽  
M. F. Savchenkov ◽  
Y. N. Bykov ◽  
R. S. Manueva
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Technogenic Pollution ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hand Bones ◽  
Children Health

Data of hygienic studies of air and soil during last 20 years have confirmed their correlating relationship with the general morbidity and a group of musculoskeletal diseases in children living in cities with the technogenic pollution of the environment. Their bones were established to grow unevenly and disproportionally, in 76% of children there have been violations in the development and growth of bones. The results of X-ray examination of hand bones in children and adolescents in the Irkutsk and Shelekhov cities are presented. Significant differences in morbidity patterns among children and adolescents including an increased incidence of musculoskeletal diseases by 5.6 in children and by 12 in adolescents have been revealed.

Comparing the Measurement Properties and Preferability of Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Pediatric Rheumatology: PROMIS versus CHAQ

2020 ◽  
pp. jrheum.200943
Author(s):  
Joshua Craig ◽  
Brian M. Feldman ◽  
Lynn Spiegel ◽  
Saunya Dover
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Pediatric Rheumatology ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome Measures ◽  
Pain Interference ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Measurement Information ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Ceiling Effects

Objective The Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), though widely used for assessments in pediatric rheumatology, has drawbacks, including low correlation to disease activity and ceiling effects. We sought to determine if any tools from the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) improve on these shortcomings and/or are preferred by patients. Methods Patients 5-17 years of age, with childhood arthritis (JIA) or juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) were recruited from the rheumatology clinics at a Canadian children’s hospital. Participants completed the CHAQ, 3 PROMIS measures (pain interference, mobility, and physical activity), and underwent a standard clinical assessment. Results 52 patients participated, 25 with JIA and 27 with JDM. None of the PROMIS measures suffered from ceiling effects, while the CHAQ disability index (DI) and pain visual analog scales both did, with 50% and 20% of patients achieving the best possible scores respectively. The PROMIS mobility was moderately correlated CHAQ DI (rs = -0.60, 95%CI = -0.75--0.40) and the PROMIS pain interference was strongly correlated to the CHAQ pain score (rs = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.43-0.80). No measures correlated with disease activity. Patients preferred the PROMIS to the CHAQ. Conclusion The PROMIS pain interference, mobility and physical activity measures improve in some areas where the CHAQ is weak: they do not suffer from ceiling effects and patients prefer the PROMIS tools. More work is needed to determine the correlation and responsiveness of the PROMIS tools to changes in disease activity over time before they should be widely adopted for clinical use.

Drugs used in rheumatology practice

2018 ◽  
pp. 645-688
Author(s):  
Gavin Clunie ◽  
Nick Wilkinson ◽  
Elena Nikiphorou ◽  
Deepak R. Jadon
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Intravenous Immunoglobulin ◽  
Bone Disease ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Biologic Dmards ◽  
Rheumatological Disease ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Paediatric Disease ◽  
Rheumatology Practice

The Oxford Handbook of Rheumatology, 4th edition, emphasizes the importance of evidence-based therapeutics and therefore devotes a whole chapter to medications used to treat rheumatological and bone disease (‘Drugs used in rheumatological disease’). Details about treatments are cross-referenced to specific use of medications for specific diseases and conditions elsewhere in the book. There are chapter sections on analgesics including opiate-based medications, NSAIDs, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic DMARDs, intravenous immunoglobulin, and other immunosuppressants. There is a specific focus in the chapter on drugs used for Raynaud’s disease, osteoporosis (e.g. bisphosphonates), pulmonary hypertension, gout, and hyperuricaemia. Overall there is reference to both adult and paediatric disease treatments in the chapter.

scholarly journals The prevalence and impact of comorbidities on patients with axial spondyloarthritis: results from a nationwide population-based study

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imke Redeker ◽  
Johanna Callhoff ◽  
Falk Hoffmann ◽  
Ursula Marschall ◽  
Hildrun Haibel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Chronic Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Collagen Vascular Diseases

Abstract Background In contrast to other chronic rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, comorbidities in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and their impact on disease outcomes are less well studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities and their association with disease activity and functional impairment in a large population-based cohort of patients with axSpA. Methods A random sample of patients with axSpA, stratified by age and sex, was drawn from health insurance data. Patients in the sample received a survey on demographic, socioeconomic, and disease-related parameters. Comorbidities were defined using the Elixhauser coding algorithms excluding rheumatoid arthritis/collagen vascular diseases and including osteoporosis and fibromyalgia, resulting in a set of 32 comorbidities. The prevalence of comorbidities in the axSpA patients and their pharmacological treatment were examined. Multivariable linear regression models were calculated to determine the association of comorbidities with disease activity and functional status. Results A total of 1776 axSpA patients were included in the analyses (response, 47%; mean age, 56 years; 46% female). The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension, depression, and chronic pulmonary disorders. The number of comorbidities was significantly associated with both the BASDAI and BASFI: β (95% CI) = 0.17 (0.09–0.24) and 0.24 (0.15–0.32), respectively. When analysed separately, hypertension, depression, and chronic pulmonary disease were comorbidities with a significant and independent association with BASFI, while for BASDAI, such an association was found for depression and chronic pulmonary disease only. Conclusions Comorbidities are common in axSpA patients and are associated with higher disease activity and higher levels of functional impairment. Higher disease activity and higher levels of functional impairment might be indicators of severe disease resulting in the development of comorbidities.

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