P041 Health-related quality of life in patients receiving glucocorticoids for a rheumatic disease and associated factors : a cross-sectional study
Authors: Janagan Shalini , Lim Kian Wah , Bhogal Rayna , Bridgewater Susan , Silverthorne Christine , Richards Pamela , Dawson Jill , Dures Emma , Hill Catherine , Goodman Susan , Mackie Sarah L , Ndosi Mwidimi , Robson Joanna C 
Published: April 2024

Background/Aims

Glucocorticoids (GCs) used in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic conditions can impact on patients in different ways. The objective of this study was to identify socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients undertaking GCs for a rheumatic disease.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using online survey methods. Participants taking GCs for a rheumatic disease from Australia, United Kingdom and the United States of America were included. HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-5L converted into a linear EQ5D index value. Eight explanatory factors (age, sex, country, educational level, employment status, disease group, self-reported disease state, and dose of GCs) were tested for potential association with HRQoL using univariable and multivariable (hierarchical) analyses. Factors found to have a significant association with EQ5D index at a P &lt; 0.05 level in the multivariable model were considered to be independently associated with HRQoL.

Results

A total of 945 patients completed the EQ-5D-5L with no missing values: UK n = 742 (79%); USA n = 139 (15%); Australia/New Zealand n = 64 (7%); mean age 57.6 (SD = 13.6); 833 (88%) women. Participants with inflammatory arthritis n = 197 (21%), connective tissue disease and/or vasculitis n = 402 (43%), giant cell arteritis and/or polymyalgia rheumatica n = 346 (37%) were included. Those with self-reported active disease were 726 (77%). Mean (SD) EQ5D index was 0.64 (0.25); there were significant differences between groups in EQ-5D-5L index by age (median split, t=-3.77, p &lt; 0.001); sex (t = 3.40, p &lt; 001); educational level (F[3]=10.51, p &lt; 0.001); employment status (F[6]=37.67, P &lt; 0.001); disease group (T[2]=20.23, p &lt; 0.001); disease state (T=-8.46, p &lt; 0.001); and the dose of GCs(T = 2.95, p &lt; 0.001). Worse HRQoL was associated with older age, being female, low educational attainment, being unemployed, having an inflammatory arthritis or a CTD, disease being active, and taking a higher dose of GC.

Of the eight factors that were tested in the multivariable model, five were found to be independently associated with HRQoL. These were: disease state (β = 0.12, p &lt; 0.001), disease group (β = 0.06, p &lt; 0.001), employment status (β = 0.05, p &lt; 0.001), sex (β = 0.05, p &lt; 0.001), and educational level (β = 0.04, p &lt; 0.001). This 5-factor model explained 18% of the variance in EQ5D index scores (F[1, 926] = 4.97, P = 0.026). The excluded factors in the model were age, dose, and country.

Conclusion

In our data, we identified 5 factors independently associated with worse HRQoL in patients being treated with GCs. Over 80% of the variance was not explained by our model likely due to use of a generic HRQoL measure (EQ-5D-5L) as outcome variable, and the small number of explanatory variables tested within this survey. Further research is required to identify potential targets to support interventions.

Disclosure

S. Janagan: None. K. Lim: None. R. Bhogal: None. S. Bridgewater: Grants/research support; Vifor pharma. C. Silverthorne: None. P. Richards: None. J. Dawson: None. E. Dures: Grants/research support; Vifor pharma. C. Hill: None. S. Goodman: Consultancies; UCB. Grants/research support; Novartis. S.L. Mackie: Consultancies; Consultancy on behalf of her institution for Roche/Chugai, Sanofi, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Pfizer. Other; Investigator on clinical trials for Sanofi, GSK, Sparrow, speaking/lecturing on behalf of her institution for Roche/Chugai, Vifor, Pfizer, UCB, Novartis and AbbVie, ; chief investigator on STERLING-PMR trial, funded by NIHR; patron of the charity PMRGCAuk, No personal remuneration was received for any of the above activities. Support from Roche/Chugai to attend EULAR2019 in person and from Pfizer to attend ACR Convergence 2021 virtually., SLM is supported in part by the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre., The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR,the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, the National Health Service or the UK Department of Health. M. Ndosi: Grants/research support; Vifor pharma. J.C. Robson: Consultancies; Vifor Pharma. Member of speakers’ bureau; Vifor Pharma. Grants/research support; Unrestricted Grant/research support from: Vifor Pharma.