SAT0332 GENDER DIFFERENCES IN DISEASE STATUS, QUALITY OF LIFE AND TREATMENT PATTERNS AMONG AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS PATIENTS: FINDINGS FROM A GLOBAL SURVEY
Authors: Irene van der Horst-Bruinsma, Theresa Hunter, Rebecca Bolce, Elizabeth Holdsworth, Nicola Booth
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> Axial spondyloarthritis<b> (</b>AxSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and disability.<sup>1-2</sup> Gender differences in clinical and quality of life (QoL) measures have been demonstrated in axSpA (ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA), but not well quantified in a real-world clinical setting. <h3>Objectives</h3> To compare the clinical characteristics, QoL and treatment patterns of male and female AS and nr-axSpA patients from a multi-national survey. <h3>Methods</h3> Data from a cross-sectional, multi-national survey conducted in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States were analyzed. Demographics, disease status and medication use were reported by the physician, while work disability and QoL measures were reported by the patient. Gender comparison analyses were conducted for AS and nr-axSpA subgroups. <h3>Results</h3> Data from 432 physicians (407 rheumatologists, 13 orthopedists, 12 internists) 2,300 AS patients (male: 1,673[72.74%]; female: 627 [27.26%]), and 2,099 nr-axSpA patients (male: 1,146 [54.60%]; female: 953 [45.40%]) were included in this analysis. Male AS and nr-axSpA patients were more likely to be younger (AS: p=0.0141; nr-axSpA: p=0.1327), smokers (AS: p&lt;0.0001; nr-axSpA: p&lt;0.0001), have full-time employment (AS: p&lt;0.0001; nr-axSpA: p&lt;0.0001), and currently be in remission (AS: p&lt;0.0001; nr-axSpA: p=0.0001) when compared to female AS and nr-axSpA patients. Male AS patients were more likely to be prescribed biologic treatment when compared to female AS patients (p=0.0070); however, rates of biologic use between male and female nr-axSpA patients were comparable (p=0.2148). Male AS and nr-axSpA patients also had lower Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores than female patients (AS: p&lt;0.0001; nr-axSpA: p&lt;0.0001). In addition, female AS and nr-axSpA patients were more likely to report worse QoL and more activity impairment, as assessed by the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) (AS: p&lt;0.0001; nr-axSpA: p=0.0001), Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI) (AS: p&lt;0.0001; nr-axSpA: p&lt;0.0001), and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) (AS: p=0.0006; nr-axSpA: p=0.0002). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Male AS patients were more likely to be prescribed biologics when compared to female AS patients, despite females experiencing worse QoL and greater activity impairment. This study highlights an unmet need among female patients for more appropriate treatment approaches. <h3>References</h3> [1] Boonen A, et al. Ann Rheum Dis2010 [2] Kotsis K, et al. Expert Rev Pharmacoeconomic Outcomes Res. 2014 <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Irene van der Horst-Bruinsma Grant/research support from: MSD, Pfizer, AbbVie, Consultant for: Abbvie, UCB, MSD, Novartis, Speakers bureau: BMS, AbbVie, Pfizer, MSD, Theresa Hunter Employee of: Eli Lilly and Company, Rebecca Bolce Shareholder of: Eli Lilly and Company, Employee of: Eli Lilly and Company, Elizabeth Holdsworth Employee of: Adelphi Real World, Nicola Booth Employee of: Adelphi Real World