P270 ‘Act on Axial SpA': a gold standard time to diagnosis
Authors: Marshall Liz , Webb Dale , MacAulay Fiona , Gaffney Karl , Sengupta Raj 
Published: April 2022

Background/Aims

A lack of public understanding of the symptoms of axial spondyloathritis (axial SpA) is a significant factor in diagnostic delay. Research commissioned by The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) found that 91% of the UK population had never heard of axial SpA, despite more people living with the condition than MS and Parkinson’s combined. Additionally, 8 in 10 people could not identify the symptoms of axial SpA when prompted. As part of a 5-year programme called ‘Act on Axial SpA’, NASS created the first phase of a campaign to increase public awareness, help people recognise symptoms, and encourage them to visit their GP if concerned. Aims: 1) Ensure people have heard of axial SpA. 2) Help people understand that it’s a condition that affects young people. 3) Ensure people recognise the signs and symptoms of the condition. 4) Get people to visit actonaxialspa.com to use the symptom checker and visit their GP if concerned.

Methods

1) Raise awareness about the condition: to make an emotional connection with a cold audience, who are unlikely to have heard of axial SpA (AS) and show them why the campaign is relevant to them. We told stories about people with the condition and their families, so people can see that the condition could affect someone like ‘them’. We ensured our campaign key messages are highly visible in the places, publications and online media people in our target audiences are likely to see every day. 2) Identify a core set of symptoms using a newly developed acronym (SPINE). 3) Direct people to an online symptom checker which combines the ASAS, Berlin and Calin inflammatory back pain criteria. 4) Provide information for the patient and primary care professional on the results of the symptom checker and next steps as per the NICE guidelines 5) Provide information for the patient on preparing for their GP and rheumatologist appointments.

Results

We report results from June 23 - October 13 2021. 1) Case studies have featured in 11 national media publications with a combined reach of over 101 million. 2) Social media activity has a reach of 440,000. 3) Video content has been viewed 375,000 times. 4) 1,264 people have used the symptom checker. 5) We are reaching new audiences, in particular those aged 18-45 and a larger proportion of women.

Conclusion

The first phase of the campaign has demonstrated cut through to new audiences. People are interested, engaged and eager to learn more about axial SpA. When people are aware of the condition and its symptoms, they are more likely to act. We are confident that, with time, the ‘Act on Axial SpA’ public awareness campaign will play a huge part in reducing diagnosis times for people with axial SpA.

Disclosure

L. Marshall: None. D. Webb: None. F. MacAulay: None. K. Gaffney: Consultancies; Novartis, AbbVie, UCB, Lilly, Pfizer. Shareholder/stock ownership; SpA Academy www.spaacademy.org. Honoraria; Novartis, AbbVie, UCB, Lilly, Pfizer. Member of speakers’ bureau; Novartis, UCB, AbbVie, Lilly. Grants/research support; NASS, AbbVie, Pfizer, UCB, Novartis, Lilly, Cellgene, Celltrion, Janssen, Gilead, Biogen. Other; Expenses: Abbvie, Lilly, Roche, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. R. Sengupta: Consultancies; Abbvie, Biogen, Celgene, Chugai, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, UCB. Honoraria; Abbvie, Biogen, Celgene, Chugai, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, UCB. Grants/research support; Abbvie, Celgene, Novartis, UCB. Other; Advisory boards:, Abbvie, Biogen, Chugai, Lilly, Novartis, UCB.