Peripheral disease contributes significantly to the level of disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis

ObjectiveSpondyloarthritis (SpA) can encompass axial, peripheral and extra-articular disease manifestations. Patients are classified as axial or peripheral SpA depending on the presence or absence of current back pain, independently of the other disease manifestations. Therefore, we aimed to assess the percentage of patients with axial SpA with peripheral disease and how this peripheral disease contributes to the overall disease activity.MethodsPrevalence and disease activity of peripheral disease manifestations were assessed in a real-life observational cohort of 314 patients with the clinical diagnosis of SpA and fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria.ResultsOf the 314 patients fulfilling the ASAS criteria, 230 fulfilled the axial and 84 the peripheral SpA criteria. Of the 230 patients with axial SpA, 49% had purely axial disease without peripheral disease manifestations whereas 51% had combined axial (back pain) and peripheral (arthritis, enthesitis and/or dactylitis) disease. The latter group had the highest disease activity in comparison with pure axial SpA as well as with peripheral SpA.ConclusionHalf of the patients classified as axial SpA according to the ASAS criteria also have peripheral disease manifestations such as arthritis, enthesitis and/or dactylitis. These peripheral disease manifestations contribute significantly to overall disease activity.

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Gender Differences in Disease Activity and Impact in Axial Spondyloarthritis

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.210564 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jrheum.210564

Author(s):

Ying-Ying Leung

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Back Pain ◽

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

International Society ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Classification Criteria ◽

Inflammatory Back Pain

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), characterized by inflammatory back pain and sacroiliitis on radiography, was traditionally considered a condition predominant in men. Since the introduction of the 2009 Assessment in Spondyloarthritis international Society classification criteria1 aiming to facilitate earlier classification of cases without radiographic sacroiliitis, more women have been classified as having axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

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Do patients with axial spondyloarthritis with radiographic sacroiliitis fulfil both the modified New York criteria and the ASAS axial spondyloarthritis criteria? Results from eight cohorts

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215707 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 78 (11) ◽

pp. 1545-1549 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Anne Boel ◽

Anna Molto ◽

Désirée van der Heijde ◽

Adrian Ciurea ◽

Maxime Dougados ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Back Pain ◽

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

International Society ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Complete Information ◽

Asas Criteria ◽

Radiographic Criterion ◽

Almost All

BackgroundPatients with spondyloarthritis with radiographic sacroiliitis are traditionally classified according to the modified New York (mNY) criteria as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and more recently according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria as radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA).ObjectiveTo investigate the agreement between the mNY criteria for AS and the ASAS criteria for r-axSpA and reasons for disagreement.MethodsPatients with back pain ≥3 months diagnosed as axSpA with radiographic sacroiliitis (mNY radiographic criterion) were selected from eight cohorts (ASAS, Esperanza, GESPIC, OASIS, Reuma.pt, SCQM, SPACE, UCSF). Subsequently, we calculated the percentage of patients who fulfilled the ASAS r-axSpA criteria within the group of patients who fulfilled the mNY criteria and vice versa in six cohorts with complete information.ResultsOf the 3882 patients fulfilling the mNY criteria, 93% also fulfilled the ASAS r-axSpA criteria. Inversely, of the 3434 patients fulfilling the ASAS r-axSpA criteria, 96% also fulfilled the mNY criteria. The main cause for discrepancy between the two criteria sets was the reported age at onset of back pain.ConclusionAlmost all patients with axSpA with radiographic sacroiliitis fulfil both ASAS and mNY criteria, which supports the interchangeable use of the terms AS and r-axSpA.

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SAT0380 ENHANCING RHEUMATOLOGY REFERRALS AMONG INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.576 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1138.2-1138

Author(s):

C. S. E. Lim ◽

M. Tremelling ◽

L. Hamilton ◽

A. Macgregor ◽

K. Gaffney

Keyword(s):

Back Pain ◽

Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Chronic Back Pain ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Inflammatory Back Pain ◽

Aminosalicylic Acid ◽

Research Support ◽

Clinical Probability ◽

Asas Criteria ◽

History Of

Background:Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD patients, the clinical probability of axSpA increases in those with chronic back pain (CBP) whose symptoms started before the age of forty-five years old. In practice, this should trigger a rheumatology review especially if accompanied by other symptoms suspicious of inflammatory disease. However, in any health system, the goal of identifying all possible cases need to be balanced with the practical realisation of the finite resources available.Objectives:The study aimed to define the clinical characteristics of a subgroup of IBD patients who are routinely managed in secondary care who have an increased clinical probability for axSpA. Identification of these characteristics may help improve the quality and specificity of referrals to Rheumatology from Gastroenterology clinics.Methods:An analytical cross-sectional study was undertaken. Consecutive IBD patients attending routine Gastroenterology clinics were sent a modified validated back pain questionnaire. The questionnaire included the presence or absence of a previous diagnosis of axSpA; components of validated inflammatory back pain criteria; diagrams to indicate the location of back pain and other musculoskeletal pain; personal and family history of known axSpA manifestations; and details of their IBD course, activity and treatment.IBD patients, with back pain duration > 3 months with onset before 45 years were considered to have a medium diagnostic probability (MDP) for axSpA. MDP-positive IBD patients were compared with MDP-negative IBD patients and logistic regression was used to model the association with clinical features.Results:Four hundred and seventy consecutive IBD patients (mean age 54 years; 46% male) were surveyed. Two hundred and nine patients (59%) replied, of whom 191 patients (69%) consented to participate. One hundred and seventy-three (91%) of those who consented had a valid completed questionnaire and were included for data analysis. Of these, 74% had Ulcerative Colitis and 26% had Crohn’s disease. Their mean age was 58 years, 39% male. Mean age at IBD diagnosis was 39 years, mean IBD disease duration 19 yrs. CBP (back pain greater than three months) was reported by 76%. Inflammatory back pain fulfilling Calin, Berlin, ASAS criteria was seen in 23%, 29%, and 15% respectively. In addition, 80% reported peripheral musculoskeletal pain. Self-reported personal history of enthesitis, reactive arthritis (ReA), acute anterior uveitis (AAU), skin psoriasis (PSO) and dactylitis were 50%, 30%, 24%, 15% and 0% respectively. Self-reported family history of IBD, ReA, PSO, axSpA and AAU were 60%, 36%, 22%, 11%, and 1% respectively.Ninety-one (53%) patients were MDP-positive and 82 (47%) patients were MDP-negative. The clinical characteristics associated with MDP (adjusted for age at invitation) were: the presence of inflammatory back pain using ASAS criteria [OR 8.84 (1.61,48.67); p=0.01], longer interval between symptom onset and gastroenterologist diagnosis of IBD [OR 1.09 (1.03,1.16); p=0.005], and use of rectal topical 5-aminosalicylic acid [OR 3.27 (1.11,9.68); p=0.03].Conclusion:Chronic back pain and peripheral musculoskeletal pain are common in a secondary care IBD population. In IBD patients, with back pain duration > 3 months and onset before 45 years, the presence of inflammatory back pain, longer diagnostic delay of IBD and the use of rectal topical 5-aminosalicylic acid were associated with a higher clinical probability of axSpA. The identification of these clinical features may not only improve the quality and specificity of Rheumatology referrals from Gastroenterology in this subgroup of patients but also lends real world evidence to current ASAS-endorsed recommendations for early referral of patients with a suspicion of axial spondyloarthritis.Disclosure of Interests:Chong Seng Edwin Lim Grant/research support from: AbbVie - Research support/grant but NOT for this study., Mark Tremelling: None declared, Louise Hamilton: None declared, Alexander Macgregor: None declared, Karl Gaffney Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Celgene, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Celgene, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma

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SAT0416 ENTHESITIS AND CLINICAL RESPONSE IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: REAL-LIFE DATA

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.4543 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1161.1-1161

Author(s):

S. Ganhão ◽

S. Garcia ◽

B. M. Fernandes ◽

M. Rato ◽

F. Pinheiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Back Pain ◽

Psoriatic Arthritis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Clinical Response ◽

Real Life ◽

Inflammatory Back Pain ◽

Skeletal Involvement ◽

Vas Score ◽

Das 28 ◽

The Mean

Background:Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis that is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical conditions, including axial skeletal involvement, enthesitis, dactylitis, uveitis and arthritis. Among those, enthesitis, the inflammation of the junction where the tendon, ligament or joint capsule inserts into the bone, is assigned to be the hallmark, affecting 35–50% of patients. Several clinical methods have been developed to measure it, including The Maastricht AS Enthesitis Score (MASES) index, which tests 13 entheses and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) index that assesses 16.Objectives:To assess the relationship between enthesitis and clinical response in psoriatic arthritis.Methods:Retrospective study including all the patients with PsA meeting the CASPAR criteria, beginning first-line biologic therapy at our centre. Demographic and clinical data including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, physical examination findings such as presence of enthesitis, dactylitis, chronic back pain, tender and swollen joint counts (TJC/ SJC), ESR, CRP, DAS 28 4vESR, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ASDAS, HAQ, patient VAS score, MASES and SPARCC were collected from the Portuguese database Reumapt. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS. Continuous variables were analysed through Spearman correlations.Results:We included 119 patients with PsA (60 female), of which 14.9% were active smokers. The mean age of patients was 46.3 ± 1.03 years. The median disease duration was 6.8 (0.3-33.8) years and the mean BMI was 26.8 ± 0.5 Kg/m2.Enthesitis, dactylitis, inflammatory back pain, peripheral arthritis, ungueal distrophy, and psoriasis were present in 53 (45.7%), 45 (38.8%), 76 (65.5%), 109 (94%), 45 (38.8%), 104 (89.7%) patients, respectively.At baseline, mean (SD) disease activity parameters were: DAS 28 4vESR 4.9 (0.2), ESR 33.2 (2.3) mm/h; CRP 2.35 (0.3) mg/dL, HAQ 1.3 (0.1), BASDAI 6.6 (0.2), ASDAS 3.9 (0.1), BASMI 3.7 (0.2), BASFI 5.8 (0.3), MASES 1.9 (0.3), SPARCC 2.3 (0.3). Median (min-max) values of TJC, SJC and patient VAS score at baseline were 4 (0-28), 3 (0-19), 76 (0-100), respectively.There were statistically significant positive correlations (0-12 months) between ΔMASES and ΔDAS 28 4vESR (p=0.02, rho=0.432), Δpatient VAS score (p=0.027, rho=0.307), ΔHAQ (p=0.02, rho=0.411), ΔBASDAI (p=0.025, rho=0.326), ΔBASFI (p=0.037, rho=0.315), ΔASDAS (p=0.023, rho= 0.331). Correlations between ΔSPARCC and ΔDAS 28 4vESR (p=0.023, rho=0.332), Δpatient VAS score (p=0.003, rho=0.402), ΔHAQ (p=0.012, rho=0.440), ΔBASDAI (p=0.011, rho=0.368), ΔBASFI (p=0.001, rho=0.445), ΔASDAS (p=0.002, rho= 0.437), ΔCDAI (p=0.039, rho=0.320) and ΔSDAI (p=0.039, rho=0.319), were also significant. However, there weren’t strong correlations between ΔMASES neither ΔSPARCC and PsARC response at 12 months.Conclusion:Our results suggest that enthesitis is correlated with clinical response in PsA, supporting the idea that it is a major determinant of disease activity. It should be given more importance, namely by incorporating it in daily clinical practice, due to its major role, both in establishing an early diagnosis and in assessing treatment response.References:[1]Sunar I, Ataman S, Nas K, Kilic E, Sargin B, Kasman SA, et al. Enthesitis and its relationship with disease activity, functional status, and quality of life in psoriatic arthritis: a multi‑center study. Rheumatol Int. 2019 Nov 26. doi: 10.1007/s00296-019-04480-9.Disclosure of Interests:Sara Ganhão: None declared, Salomé Garcia: None declared, Bruno Miguel Fernandes: None declared, Maria Rato: None declared, Filipe Pinheiro: None declared, Eva Mariz: None declared, Miguel Bernardes Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, Eli-Lilly, Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Pfizer, Janssen, Novartis, Lúcia Costa: None declared

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Comparative Analysis and Predictors of 10-year Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors Drug Survival in Patients with Spondyloarthritis: First-year Response Predicts Longterm Drug Persistence

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.170477 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 (6) ◽

pp. 785-794 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Irini D. Flouri ◽

Theodora E. Markatseli ◽

Kyriaki A. Boki ◽

Ioannis Papadopoulos ◽

Fotini N. Skopouli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Tumor Necrosis ◽

Disease Activity Score ◽

First Year ◽

Peripheral Arthritis ◽

Drug Survival ◽

Axial Disease ◽

Necrosis Factor

Objective.To evaluate the 10-year drug survival of the first tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) administered to patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) overall and comparatively between SpA subsets, and to identify predictors of drug retention.Methods.Patients with SpA in the Hellenic Registry of Biologic Therapies, a prospective multicenter observational cohort, starting their first TNFi between 2004–2014 were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models were used.Results.Overall, 404 out of 1077 patients (37.5%) discontinued treatment (followup: 4288 patient-yrs). Ten-year drug survival was 49%. In the unadjusted analyses, higher TNFi survival was observed in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to undifferentiated SpA and psoriatic arthritis [PsA; significant beyond the first 2.5 (p = 0.003) years and 7 years (p < 0.001), respectively], and in patients treated for isolated axial versus peripheral arthritis (p = 0.001). In all multivariable analyses, male sex was a predictor for longer TNFi survival. Use of methotrexate (MTX) was a predictor in PsA and in patients with peripheral arthritis. Absence of peripheral arthritis and use of a monoclonal antibody (as opposed to non-antibody TNFi) independently predicted longer TNFi survival in axial disease because of lower rates of inefficacy. Achievement of major responses during the first year in either axial or peripheral arthritis was the strongest predictor of longer therapy retention (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.26–0.41 for Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score inactive disease, and HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.24–0.50 for 28-joint Disease Activity Score remission).Conclusion.The longterm retention of the first TNFi administered to patients with SpA is high, especially for males with axial disease. The strongest predictor of longterm TNFi survival is a major response within the first year of treatment.

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P271 An analysis of short-term repeat MRI scans of vertebral corner lesions in suspected early axSpA: defining the prevalence and evolution of clinically significant spinal lesions without concurrent SIJ changes on imaging

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keaa111.264 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

Saion Chatterjee ◽

Helena Marzo-Ortega ◽

Dennis McGonagle ◽

Alexander N Bennett ◽

Raj Sengupta

Keyword(s):

Back Pain ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

De Novo ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Inflammatory Back Pain ◽

Short Term ◽

Spinal Imaging ◽

Asas Criteria ◽

Mri Scans

Abstract Background MRI offers an enhanced opportunity to detect early spinal changes of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), by identifying characteristic inflammatory and structural lesions, so called Romanus lesions. These include bone marrow oedema lesions on the vertebral corners and fatty replacement of these lesions, both highly suggestive features of axSpA. Current evidence suggests that treatment of these lesions requires early biologic therapy, hence early identification is imperative. We evaluate the prevalence and variation of vertebral corner lesions on short-term repeat MRI scans in patients with suspected early axSpA. Methods 109 MRI scans were performed at baseline and at 4, 8 and 12-weeks on 30 patients with suspected axial spondyloarthritis, who fulfilled the ASAS inflammatory back pain criteria, and had normal sacroiliac joints (SIJs) on antero-posterior pelvis radiographs. The protocol included sagittal T1 and short-tau inversion recovery of the cervico-thoracic spine and thoracolumbar spine. Results 29 patients completed the study (66% were male, 72% HLA-B2-positive). All patients had ≥1 clinical spondyloarthritis (SpA) feature and 86% had ≥2. 13 patients used NSAIDs regularly over the 12-week study period. Overall, 40 corner lesions were present in participants at baseline scanning. 67 new vertebral corner lesion changes occurred at different time points over the follow-up period compared to baseline. 43 changes were new or worsening lesions, while 24 changes were an improvement or resolution of a lesion. 48.6% (14/29) of patients had a minimum of 1 corner lesion present at baseline. 78.5% (11/14) of patients with baseline corner lesions experienced either a decrease/improvement or increase/progression of spinal corner lesions. 20.7% (6/29) of patients demonstrated transient corner lesions at baseline or follow-up with resolution by the 12-week scan (likely artefact). 5/29 patients met spinal imaging criteria suggestive of AS (3 at baseline, 1 only transiently at 1 month, and 1 which persisted from interval scanning). At 12-weeks, 13.8% of patients had at least 3 concomitant baseline or de-novo vertebral corner lesions present (minimum number needed for diagnostic significance). 75% of these patients did not have evidence of concomitant SIJ changes (10.3% of all patients). HLA-B27 status, gender, NSAID use, and number of SpA features were not associated with corner lesion development or improvement. Conclusion Approximately half of all patients who meet ASAS criteria for inflammatory back pain, but do not meet ASAS criteria for axSpA, demonstrated at least 1 vertebral corner lesion on MRI scan at baseline, which may represent artefact or a prelude to future disease progression. 13.8% of patients had at least 3 concomitant baseline or de-novo vertebral corner lesions present on MRI at the conclusion of 12-weeks of follow-up. In cases of suspected axSpA with negative SIJ MRI imaging, 10.3% of patients had significant spinal evidence of axSpA on MRI, highlighting the importance of spinal imaging and monitoring as part of the diagnostic work-up for axSpA. Disclosures S. Chatterjee None. H. Marzo-Ortega None. D. McGonagle None. A. Bennett None. R. Sengupta None.

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Cross-sectional study of patients with axial spondyloarthritis fulfilling imaging arm of ASAS classification criteria: baseline clinical characteristics and subset differences in a single-centre cohort

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024713 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. e024713 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kristyna Bubová ◽

Šárka Forejtová ◽

Kateřina Zegzulková ◽

Monika Gregová ◽

Markéta Hušáková ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Activity ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Classification Criteria ◽

Spinal Mobility ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Single Centre ◽

Peripheral Arthritis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Asas Classification Criteria

ObjectiveThis study compared demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics between patients with radiographic and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).MethodsIn this single-centre cross-sectional study, a total of 246 patients with axSpA fulfilling the imaging arm of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria were recruited. A total of 140 patients were diagnosed as non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), and 106 patients had ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Sociodemographic characteristics, disease manifestations, clinical and laboratory disease activity and their differences between subsets were analysed. P values below 0.05 with CI 95% were considered statistically significant.ResultsMore nr-axSpA patients were women (61.4%) compared with 24.7% of AS patients. First symptoms developed earlier in AS patients compared with nr-axSpA (23.0 (IQR 17.5–30.0) vs 27.8 (IQR 21.0–33.7) years, p=0.001). Disease manifestations did not differ, but patients with nr-axSpA experienced peripheral arthritis more frequently (35.7% vs 17.0%, p=0.001) with less hip involvement (8.6% vs 18.9%, p=0.022) compared with patients with AS. Patients with AS exhibited worse spinal mobility and physical function compared with nr-axSpA. AS Disease Activity Scores and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with AS compared with nr-axSpA (2.4 (IQR 1.7–2.8) vs 2.0 (IQR 1.1–2.3), p=0.022 and 7.1 (IQR 2.6–14.9) vs 2.5 (IQR 0.8–8.2) mg/L, p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionsOur data demonstrated some known and also novel differences between the two imaging arm fulfilling axSpA subgroups. Non-radiographic patients were mostly women who had experienced shorter disease duration, milder disease activity and better functional status with less hip involvement but more peripheral arthritis compared with patients with AS.

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Drug retention, inactive disease and response rates in 1860 patients with axial spondyloarthritis initiating secukinumab treatment: routine care data from 13 registries in the EuroSpA collaboration

RMD Open ◽

10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001280 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. e001280

Author(s):

Brigitte Michelsen ◽

Ulf Lindström ◽

Catalin Codreanu ◽

Adrian Ciurea ◽

Jakub Zavada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Real Life ◽

Routine Care ◽

Retention Rates ◽

Inactive Disease ◽

Life Data ◽

Real Life Data ◽

Time Since Diagnosis

ObjectivesTo explore 6-month and 12-month secukinumab effectiveness in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) overall, as well as across (1) number of previous biologic/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs), (2) time since diagnosis and (3) different European registries.MethodsReal-life data from 13 European registries participating in the European Spondyloarthritis Research Collaboration Network were pooled. Kaplan-Meier with log-rank test, Cox regression, χ² and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess 6-month and 12-month secukinumab retention, inactive disease/low-disease-activity states (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) <2/<4, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) <1.3/<2.1) and response rates (BASDAI50, Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) 20/40, ASDAS clinically important improvement (ASDAS-CII) and ASDAS major improvement (ASDAS-MI)).ResultsWe included 1860 patients initiating secukinumab as part of routine care. Overall 6-month/12-month secukinumab retention rates were 82%/72%, with significant (p<0.001) differences between the registries (6-month: 70–93%, 12-month: 53–86%) and across number of previous b/tsDMARDs (b/tsDMARD-naïve: 90%/73%, 1 prior b/tsDMARD: 83%/73%, ≥2 prior b/tsDMARDs: 78%/66%). Overall 6-month/12-month BASDAI<4 were observed in 51%/51%, ASDAS<1.3 in 9%/11%, BASDAI50 in 53%/47%, ASAS40 in 28%/22%, ASDAS-CII in 49%/46% and ASDAS-MI in 25%/26% of the patients. All rates differed significantly across number of previous b/tsDMARDs, were numerically higher for b/tsDMARD-naïve patients and varied significantly across registries. Overall, time since diagnosis was not associated with secukinumab effectiveness.ConclusionsIn this study of 1860 patients from 13 European countries, we present the first comprehensive real-life data on effectiveness of secukinumab in patients with axSpA. Overall, secukinumab retention rates after 6 and 12 months of treatment were high. Secukinumab effectiveness was consistently better for bionaïve patients, independent of time since diagnosis and differed across the European countries.

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Do Illness Perceptions and Coping Strategies Change Over Time in Patients Recently Diagnosed With Axial Spondyloarthritis?

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.191353 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (12) ◽

pp. 1752-1759

Author(s):

Miranda van Lunteren ◽

Robert Landewé ◽

Camilla Fongen ◽

Roberta Ramonda ◽

Désirée van der Heijde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Back Pain ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Illness Perceptions ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Numeric Rating Scale ◽

And Coping ◽

Numeric Rating ◽

Over Time

ObjectiveIt is unknown if in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients’ illness perceptions and coping strategies change when disease activity changes.MethodsPatients diagnosed with axSpA and with 1 or more follow-up visits (1 and/or 2 yrs in the SPACE cohort) were included. Mixed linear models were used for illness perceptions (range 1–5), coping (range 1–4), back pain (numeric rating scale range 0–10), health-related quality of life (range 0–100), physical and mental component summary (PCS and MCS; range 0–100), work productivity loss (WPL; range 0–100), and activity impairment (AI; range 0–100%), separately, to test if they changed over time.ResultsAt baseline, 150 axSpA patients (mean age 30.4 yrs, 51% female, 65% HLA-B27+) had a mean (SD) numeric rating scale back pain of 4.0 (2.5), PCS of 28.8 (14.0), MCS of 47.8 (12.4), WPL of 34.1% (29.8), and AI of 38.7% (27.9). Over 2 years, clinically and statistically significant improvements were seen in the proportion of patients with an Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) of low disease activity (from 39% at baseline to 68% at 2 years), back pain (−1.5, SD 2.2), AI (−14.4%, SD 27.2), PCS (11.1, SD 13.3), and WPL (−15.3%, SD 28.7), but MCS did not change (0.7, SD 13.9; P = 0.201). In contrast, illness perceptions and coping strategies did not change over a period of 2 years. For example, at 2 years patients believed that their illness had severe “consequences” (2.8, SD 0.9) and they had negative emotions (e.g., feeling upset or fear) towards their illness [“emotional representation”, 2.5 (0.8)]. Patients most often coped with their pain by putting pain into perspective [“comforting cognitions”, 2.8 (0.6)] and tended to cope with limitations by being optimistic [“optimism”, 2.9 (0.7)].ConclusionWhile back pain, disease activity, and health outcomes clearly improved over 2 years, illness perceptions and coping strategies remained remarkably stable.

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Ankylosing Spondylitis versus Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis: Comparison of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Effectiveness and Effect of HLA-B27 Status. An Observational Cohort Study from the Nationwide DANBIO Registry

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.160958 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 59-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Bente Glintborg ◽

Inge J. Sørensen ◽

Mikkel Østergaard ◽

Lene Dreyer ◽

Abdiweli A. Mohamoud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor ◽

Observational Cohort Study ◽

Hla B27 ◽

Factor Inhibitor ◽

Observational Cohort ◽

Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Necrosis Factor

Objective.To compare baseline disease activity and treatment effectiveness in biologic-naive patients with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who initiate tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) treatment and to study the role of potential confounders (e.g., HLA-B27 status).Methods.Observational cohort study based on prospectively registered data in the nationwide DANBIO registry. We used Kaplan-Meier plots, Cox, and logistic regression analyses to study the effect of diagnosis (nr-axSpA vs AS) and potential confounders (sex/age/start yr/HLA-B27/disease duration/TNFi-type/smoking/baseline disease activity) on TNFi adherence and response [e.g., Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI) 50%/20 mm].Results.The study included 1250 TNFi-naive patients with axSpA (29% nr-axSpA, 50% AS, 21% lacked radiographs of sacroiliac joints). Patients with nr-axSpA were more frequently women (50%/27%) and HLA-B27–negative (85/338 = 25%), compared to AS (81/476 = 17%; p < 0.01). At TNFi start patients with nr-axSpA had higher visual analog scale scores [median (quartiles)] for pain: 72 mm (55–84)/65 mm (48–77); global: 76 mm (62–88)/68 mm (50–80); fatigue: 74 mm (55–85)/67 mm (50–80); and BASDAI: 64 (54–77)/59 (46–71); all p < 0.01. However, patients with nr-axSpA had lower C-reactive protein: 7 mg/l (3–17)/11 mg/l (5–22); and BAS Metrology Index: 20 (10–40)/40 (20–50); all p < 0.01. Median (95% CI) treatment adherence was poorer in nr-axSpA than in AS: 1.59 years (1.15–2.02) versus 3.67 years (2.86–4.49), p < 0.0001; but only in univariate and not confounder-adjusted analyses (p > 0.05). Response rates were similar in AS and nr-axSpA (p > 0.05). HLA-B27 negativity was associated with poorer treatment adherence [HLA-B27 negative/positive, nr-axSpA: HR 1.74 (1.29–2.36), AS: HR 2.04 (1.53–2.71), both p < 0.0001]; and lower response rates (nr-axSpA: 18/61 = 30% vs 93/168 = 55%; AS: 17/59 = 29% vs 157/291 = 54%, both p < 0.05).Conclusion.In this nationwide cohort, patients with nr-axSpA had higher subjective disease activity at start of first TNFi treatment, but similar outcomes to patients with AS after confounder adjustment. HLA-B27 positivity was associated with better outcomes irrespective of axSpA subdiagnosis.

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