OP0266 Disease burden is comparable in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: Implications for treatment:
Authors: J. Sieper, D. van der Heijde, D. Elewaut, A.L. Pangan, J. Anderson
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Reduced function and chronic back pain are disease characteristics common to all patients (pts) with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), including pts with non-radiographic axial SpA (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). <h3>Objectives</h3> To compare baseline disease characteristics of pts with nr-axSpA and AS from randomized clinical trials (RCT) with adalimumab (ADA) and from AS/SpA registries. <h3>Methods</h3> Registry data in this analysis include the German SpA Inception Cohort (GESPIC)<sup>1</sup> that compared pts with AS by modified New York criteria (divided into &gt;5 yrs and ≤5 yrs) and nr-axSpA (≤5 yrs) meeting modified ESSG criteria; the Early SpA Clinic Cohort (ESPAC)<sup>2</sup> that included SpA pts with inflammatory back pain (IBP) ≤2 yrs; and a prospective cohort of 100 TNF-naïve SpA pts meeting ASAS criteria for axial SpA.<sup>3</sup> ADA RCT data were derived from the ATLAS study<sup>4</sup> in AS pts, and the ABILITY 1<sup>5</sup> and Haibel<sup>6</sup> studies in nr-axSpA pts. Pts in these RCTs were selected based on a pre-specified level of disease activity and had inadequate response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. <h3>Results</h3> Mean age was similar in nr-axSpA and AS pts, ranging from 36-42 yrs (table). Gender differences were observed with nr-axSpA pts being predominantly female and AS pts primarily male. Similar levels of disease activity as measured by the BASDAI, pt and provider global assessments of disease activity, and pain scores were seen between nr-axSpA and AS in various registries and in RCTs. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Registry and clinical trial data demonstrate that disease burden is comparable between nr-axSpA and AS patients. These findings suggest that patients with nr-axSpA and AS can present with similar debilitating signs and symptoms requiring treatment regardless of extent of radiographic damage. <h3>References</h3> Rudwaleit M et al. Arthritis Rheum 2009;60:717. Heuft-Dorenbosch L et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2007;66:92. Kiltz U et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2011;70(Suppl3):521. van der Heijde D et al. Arthritis Rheum 2006;54:2136. Sieper J et al. Abstract 2486A. Arthritis Rheum 2011;63(Suppl):S970. Haibel H et al. Arthritis Rheum 2008;58:1981. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> J. Sieper Grant/Research support from: Abbott, Merck, Pfizer, UCB, Consultant for: Abbott, Merck, Pfizer, UCB, Speakers Bureau: Abbott, Merck, Pfizer, UCB, D. van der Heijde Grant/Research support from: Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Centocor, Chugai, Lilly, GSK, Merck, Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Schering-Plough, UCB, Wyeth, Consultant for: Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Centocor, Chugai, Lilly, GSK, Merck, Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Schering-Plough, UCB, Wyeth, D. Elewaut Grant/Research support from: Abbott, Consultant for: Abbott, A. Pangan Shareholder of: Abbott, Employee of: Abbott, J. Anderson Shareholder of: Abbott, Employee of: Abbott