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Objective. To evaluate the influence of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings on axial disease assessment in juvenile spondyloarthritis (JSpA). Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of patients with JSpA with suspected axial disease. Three experts reviewed each case and rated their confidence (-3 to +3) in the presence of axial disease, first with clinical data and second with clinical and MRI data. Agreement was defined as = 2/3 clinical experts with a rating of = -1 or = 1, and high confidence agreement as = -2 or = 2. The association of clinical features and both global assessments was tested with modified Poisson regression models. Results. Two hundred seventy-two of 303 cases (89.8%) achieved agreement with clinical data alone. Adding imaging data affected agreement in 38.9% (118/303) and directionality of agreement in 23.4% (71/303). Agreement was facilitated in 26/31 cases and lost in 21/272 cases. Of those 71 cases that changed directionality, 33 changed from axial disease being absent to present and 38 from present to absent. The final model had an area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.93 and 3 factors were independently associated with expert agreement (HLA-B27: relative risk [RR] 1.41, 95% CI 1.14-1.74; pain improvement with activity: RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05-1.54; and bone marrow edema on MRI: RR 4.08, 95% CI 2.91-5.73). Conclusion. The addition of imaging data affected directionality and improved high confidence agreement of expert assessment of axial disease. These results underscore the integral role of MRI in the determination of axial disease in JSpA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To assess the effect of bimekizumab on pain, morning stiffness, and fatigue in patients with nonradiographic and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in the phase III BE MOBILE studies (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03928704 and NCT03928743). Methods. Patients were randomized to bimekizumab 160 mg or placebo every 4 weeks; and all patients received bimekizumab from week 16. Patients reported spinal pain, peripheral pain, morning stiffness, and fatigue to week 52. Total and nocturnal spinal pain were each assessed on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS). Individual Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) items (0-10--point NRS) assessed peripheral arthritis pain (question [Q] 3), enthesitis pain/discomfort (Q4), morning stiffness (mean of Q5 and Q6), and fatigue (Q1). Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue subscale score (FACIT-Fatigue) is also reported. Results. At week 16, bimekizumab-treated patients reported lower mean nocturnal spinal pain, total spinal pain, and BASDAI scores (nominal except for nocturnal spinal pain; all P ≤ 0.001), as well as higher FACIT-Fatigue scores (nominal P < 0.05) vs placebo, indicating improved symptom levels. Improvements continued to week 52 in continuous bimekizumab-treated patients and in placebo-bimekizumab switchers. A higher proportion of bimekizumab- vs placebo-randomized patients achieved increasingly stringent thresholds for low spinal and peripheral pain at week 16; this was sustained or improved at week 52. Results were similar for morning stiffness and fatigue. At week 52, over half of patients were considered FACIT-Fatigue responders (≥ 8-point increase in score). Conclusion. Bimekizumab treatment led to rapid improvements in levels of pain and morning stiffness. Substantial improvements were seen in all domains across the full disease spectrum of axSpA and continued to week 52. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To provide a set of living treatment recommendations that will give contemporary guidance on the management of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in Canada. Methods. The Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC), in conjunction with the Canadian Rheumatology Association, organized a treatment recommendations panel composed of rheumatologists, researchers, allied health professionals, and a patient advocate. A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE)-ADOLOPMENT approach was used, in which existing guidelines were adopted or adapted to a Canadian context. Recommendations were also placed in a health equity framework. Results. Fifty-six recommendations were made for patients with active axSpA, stable axSpA, active or stable axSpA, for comorbidities, and for assessment, screening, and imaging. Recommendations were also made for principles of management, disease monitoring, and ethical considerations. Conclusion. These living treatment recommendations will provide up-to-date guidance for the management of axSpA for Canadian practice. As part of the living model, they will be updated regularly as changes occur in the treatment landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical research advances medical knowledge and improves healthcare outcomes. However, disparities in research participation hinder progress. The Unmet Research Needs in Spondyloarthritis Conference IV highlighted critical insights and strategies to enhance equity in clinical research. Talks focused on engaging underrepresented communities and addressing disparities in rheumatic diseases, particularly spondyloarthritis (SpA), to ensure research results are generalizable and inclusive. Disparities in SpA management, such as greater back pain severity among Black and Hispanic Americans and sex-based differences in pain management, emphasize the need for equitable research. Dr. Elizabeth Ferucci discussed the racial disparities in rheumatologic care, highlighting the importance of early access to rheumatologists and culturally informed primary care to improve outcomes. Dr. Hani El-Gabalawy's talk on engaging Indigenous communities stressed the importance of community consent and reciprocal benefits. Dr. Sarfaraz Hasni's presentation on mitigating disparities in research participation underscored the need for inclusive practices and strategies to promote diverse representation. Finally, Dr. Edith Williams emphasized institutional approaches to fostering equity, including diverse recruitment practices and institutional review board alignment with diversity priorities. Strategies to enhance equity in clinical research include community engagement, addressing logistical barriers to participation, and ensuring diverse research teams. These approaches can dismantle barriers for underrepresented communities, making research more accessible and reflective of the broader population. The SpA research community must commit to creating structures that foster inclusivity, ensuring medical advancements benefit all populations, especially historically underrepresented groups. The principles and strategies proposed serve as a roadmap for achieving equity in SpA research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imaging biomarkers in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are currently the most specific biomarkers for the diagnosis of this condition. Despite advances in imaging, from plain radiographs--which detect only damage--to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)--which identifies disease activity and structural change--there are still many challenges that remain. Imaging in sacroiliitis is characterized by active and structural changes. Current classification criteria stress the importance of bone marrow edema (BME); however, BME can occur in various diseases, mechanical conditions, and healthy individuals. Thus, the identification of structural lesions such as erosion, subchondral fat, backfill, and ankylosis is important to distinguish from mimics on differential diagnosis. Various imaging modalities are available to examine structural lesions, but computed tomography (CT) is considered the current reference standard. Nonetheless, recent advances in MRI allow for direct bone imaging and the reconstruction of CT-like images that can provide similar information. Therefore, the ability of MRI to detect and measure structural lesions is strengthened. Here, we present an overview of the spectrum of current and cutting-edge techniques for SpA imaging in clinical practice; namely, we discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and usefulness of imaging in SpA through radiography, low-dose and dual-energy CT, and MRI. Cutting-edge MRI sequences including volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination, ultrashort echo time, zero echo time, and deep learning-based synthetic CT that creates CT-like images without ionizing radiation, are discussed. Imaging techniques allow for quantification of inflammatory and structural lesions, which is important in the assessment of treatment response and disease progression. Radiographic damage is poorly sensitive to change. Artificial intelligence has already revolutionized radiology practice, including protocolization, image quality, and image interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), persistent pain remains a critical unmet need. In this review, we discuss the prevalence of chronic pain and fibromyalgia in patients with axSpA and examine the existing knowledge on the pathophysiology of chronic pain in SpA, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Finally, we discuss the specific unmet needs that must be addressed to improve long-term outcomes in axSpA, specifically those that will improve chronic pain in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) one disease or does it comprise multiple types? If the latter, how do we define those types--through clinical or imaging features, HLA-B27 status, or by other immunologic features? Data comparing disease outcomes for individuals with nonradiographic vs radiographic axSpA, or for male vs female patients, demonstrate distinctions. So then, how should we define endotypes? Endotypes are known as the subtype of a health condition defined by a functional or pathophysiologic function. Here, we review the endotypes used for defining rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and psoriatic arthritis. Taking the lessons learned from these diseases, we discuss how they can be applied to defining endotypes in axSpA. A key unmet need for axSpA is access to affected tissues for interrogation of their pathologic mechanisms, from which tissue-specific endotypes can be defined. These tissue-based features should be combined with clinical data and imaging to inform classification criteria in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Radiographic assessment of sacroiliac joints (SIJs) according to the modified New York (mNY) criteria is key in the classification of axial spondyloarthritis but has moderate interreader agreement. We aimed to investigate the improvements of the reliability in scoring SIJ radiographs after applying an online real-time iterative calibration (RETIC) module, in addition to a slideshow and video alone. Methods. Nineteen readers, randomized to 2 groups (A or B), completed 3 calibration steps: (1) review of manuscripts, (2) review of slideshow and video with group A completing RETIC, and (3) re-review of slideshow and video with group B completing RETIC. The RETIC module gave instant feedback on readers' gradings and continued until predefined reliability (κ) targets for mNY positivity/negativity were met. Each step was followed by scoring different batches of 25 radiographs (exercises I to III). Agreement (κ) with an expert radiologist was assessed for mNY positivity/negativity and individual lesions. Improvements by training strategies were tested by linear mixed models. Results. In exercises I, II, and III, mNY κ were 0.61, 0.76, and 0.84, respectively, in group A; and 0.70, 0.68, and 0.86, respectively, in group B (ie, increasing, mainly after RETIC completion). Improvements were observed for grading both mNY positivity/negativity and individual pathologies, both in experienced and, particularly, inexperienced readers. Completion of the RETIC module in addition to the slideshow and video caused a significant κ increase of 0.17 (95% CI 0.07-0.27; P = 0.002) for mNY-positive and mNY-negative grading, whereas completion of the slideshow and video alone did not (κ = 0.00, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.10; P = 0.99). Conclusion. Agreement on scoring radiographs according to the mNY criteria significantly improved when adding an online RETIC module, but not by slideshow and video alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enthesitis hypothesis posits that enthesitis is a primary lesion and that inflammation at the enthesis initiates the musculoskeletal symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthropathies (SpA). The hypothesis suggested that inflamed entheseal tissue near the synovium could trigger cytokine-mediated synovitis, that enthesis bone anchorage could explain osteitis, and that the location of entheses at the soft tissue interface could explain dactylitis. Advances in imaging techniques that allow better visualization of enthesitis lesions and the development of animal models have allowed evolution of the concept of enthesitis as a central mechanistic driver of musculoskeletal symptoms in PsA and SpA. A debate between Drs. Dennis McGonagle and Bruce Kirkham at the Group for Research on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) 2023 annual meeting discussed the data supporting and refuting this hypothesis in PsA and SpA, respectively. The major points of this debate are summarized in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper assessment of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) requires assessment of all disease domains, including axial disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method of choice for evaluating axial involvement in PsA. When assessing patients with PsA for spinal involvement, it is important to assess both vertebral body lesions and posterolateral lesions, such as inflammation in facet joints and costovertebral joints, and enthesitis at spinous and transverse processes. The Canada-Denmark (CanDen) assessment system for spine MRIs is the preferred method for detailed evaluation of inflammation and structural damage at various anatomical locations in the spine, and it is reproducible and sensitive to change. The Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) has recently published MRI definitions of inflammatory and structural lesions in the spine, incorporating the CanDen definitions of spinal lesions on MRI. Applying the ASAS definitions and the CanDen assessment system in clinical practice and trials is recommended. Ongoing research/studies, not least the Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis (AXIS) study, may provide a data-driven definition of axial involvement in PsA. Ongoing research is expected to further improve and validate assessment tools for axial PsA and to provide a much-needed data-driven consensus-based definition of axial involvement in PsA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Opioid use among individuals with spondyloarthritis is common; however, data on whether these individuals have higher utilization of the healthcare system are lacking. We examined the association between opioid use and healthcare utilization and costs among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods. We included adults with PsA or AS enrolled in the FORWARD registry, with ≥ 1 completed disease activity or disability questionnaire between 2010 and 2019. The exposure was patient-reported opioid use, and the outcomes were annualized healthcare utilization and prescription costs. We used negative binomial regression to assess the association between opioid use and the utilization outcomes, and generalized linear models with γ-distribution and log link function for the association between opioid use and costs. Models were adjusted for age, sex, and hospitalization. AS and PsA were studied separately. Results. Among 828 patients with PsA, 21.4% used opioids; for those with AS, 27.2% of 334 patients reported opioid use. Opioid users had higher healthcare utilization and costs, including increased medical visits, diagnostic tests, direct medical costs, and pharmacy expenses. Opioid users had 32-33% more medical visits annually vs nonusers. Patients using opioids spent more on medical visits annually compared to nonusers (US $3464 vs $2706 for PsA; US $4500 vs $3660 for AS). Conclusion. Compared to patients not using opioids, patients with PsA and AS who used opioids had higher healthcare utilization and higher health-related costs. New care pathways are needed to improve care and reduce costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This post hoc analysis assessed the effect of baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) on the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib (TOF) use in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), as well as patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Methods. Phase II (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01786668) and phase III (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03502616) data from patients with active AS were used. Endpoints (weeks 12, 16, and 48), including 20% and 40% improvement in Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS), AS Disease Activity Score with CRP low disease activity, 50% improvement in Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI50), and PROs (pain and fatigue), were stratified by baseline CRP (mg/L) as follows: < 5 (normal), ≥ 5 (elevated), < 10, and ≥ 10. Safety outcomes were evaluated between < 5 and ≥ 5 mg/L subgroups. Results. Overall, 372 patients were included (69.6% ≥ 5mg/L; 50.8% ≥ 10 mg/L). At baseline in the < 5mg/L group, more placebo-treated than TOF-treated patients received concomitant nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or sulfasalazine (SSZ). Week 12 efficacy and PRO responses were generally higher for TOF vs placebo, regardless of baseline CRP. The treatment effect (placebo-adjusted response) at week 12 was generally numerically higher in ≥ 5 mg/L and ≥ 10 mg/L vs < 5 mg/L and < 10 mg/L groups. Incidence rates for treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and "all infections" were numerically higher for TOF vs placebo in patients in the < 5 mg/L group, but similar for TOF vs placebo in patients in the ≥ 5 mg/L group. Conclusion. Regardless of baseline CRP, TOF was more efficacious vs placebo at week 12. The placebo-adjusted efficacy and PRO responses were generally numerically higher in patients with CRP ≥ 5 mg/L and ≥ 10 mg/L vs < 5 mg/L and < 10 mg/L. The higher concomitant NSAID/SSZ exposure may have improved efficacy responses in the baseline < 5 mg/L placebo group, and ultimately affected the TOF treatment effect. Safety was consistent with previous studies of TOF use in AS, with numerically higher incidence rates for TEAEs and "all infections" for TOF vs placebo in patients with CRP < 5 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the association between spinal damage and functional capacity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and to compare the performance of 2 radiographic scores (modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score [mSASSS] and Combined Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score [CASSS]). Methods. Radiographs from 101 patients with axSpA were scored for cervical facet joints (CFJ) and mSASSS for vertebral bodies. CASSS was calculated as the sum of both scores. Physical function was assessed by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI); disease activity by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS); mobility by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI); and quality of life by Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQOL). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the association between possible explanatory variables and outcomes. Results. BASFI correlated strongly with ASQOL (Spearman p 0.66) and BASDAI (p 0.70), moderately with BASMI (p 0.46) and ASDAS (p 0.59), and weakly with mSASSS (p 0.29) and CASSS (p 0.28). A best-fit multivariate model for BASFI, adjusted for symptom duration, age, sex, and smoking status, included BASDAI (B 0.76, P < 0.001), BASMI (B 0.62, P < 0.001), and history of total hip arthroplasty (B 1.22, P = 0.05). Radiographic scores were predictors of BASFI only when BASMI was removed from the model (mSASSS: B 0.03, P = 0.01; CASSS: B 0.02, P = 0.01). Conclusion. Spinal damage was independently associated with physical function in axSpA, but to a lesser extent than disease activity and mobility. Moreover, incorporating CFJ assessment in the mSASSS did not improve the ability to predict function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Given the multifactorial pathogenesis of juvenile spondylarthritis (JSpA) and evidence of a protective effect in phenotypically similar diseases, we aimed to test whether breastfeeding is associated with the development and disease activity of JSpA. Methods. This single-center retrospective case-control study included children with JSpA and age- and sex-matched controls with a 1:1 ratio. Univariable and multivariable conditional logistic regression modeling for matched pairs was used to test the association of infant factors with the development of JSpA, including infant nutrition and form of delivery. Linear regression was used to assess the association of JSpA disease activity (JSpA Disease Activity Index with 6 elements [JSpADA6]) at presentation with breastfeeding expo-sure, form of delivery, and antibiotic exposure. Results. For the 195 case-control matched pairs, the mean age was 13.0 years and 47.7% were female. For breastfeeding, 88.7% of controls and 69.2% of JSpA cases were exposed to breastfeeding of any duration, respectively (P < 0.001). In the multivariable model, exclusive breastfeeding > 6 months was independently and significantly associated with a lower chance of JSpA development (odds ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.30-0.72; P < 0.001). The median JSpADA6 was not significantly associated with breastfeeding for > 6 months. However, vaginal delivery was significantly associated with a lower JSpADA6 (B = -0.65, 95% CI -1.13 to -0.17; P = 0.008). Conclusion. This study suggests that infant factors that affect the microbiome may be associated with the occurrence and disease activity of JSpA at presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score based on C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) is recommended over ASDAS based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ASDAS-ESR) to assess disease activity in axial spondylarthritis (axSpA). Although ASDAS-CRP and ASDAS-ESR are not interchangeable, the same disease activity cut-offs are used for both. We aimed to estimate optimal ASDAS-ESR values corresponding to the established ASDAS-CRP cut-offs (1.3, 2.1, and 3.5) and investigate the potential improvement of level of agreement between ASDAS-ESR and ASDAS-CRP disease activity states when applying these estimated cut-offs. Methods. We used data from patients with axSpA from 9 European registries initiating a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor. ASDAS-ESR cut-offs were estimated using the Youden index. The level of agreement between ASDAS-ESR and ASDAS-CRP disease activity states was compared against each other. Results. In 3664 patients, mean ASDAS-CRP was higher than ASDAS-ESR at both baseline (3.6 and 3.4, respectively) and aggregated follow-up at 6, 12, or 24 months (1.9 and 1.8, respectively). The estimated ASDAS-ESR values corresponding to the established ASDAS-CRP cut-offs were 1.4, 1.9, and 3.3. By applying these cut-offs, the proportion of discordance between disease activity states according to ASDAS-ESR and ASDAS-CRP decreased from 22.93% to 19.81% in baseline data but increased from 27.17% to 28.94% in follow-up data. Conclusion. We estimated the optimal ASDAS-ESR values corresponding to the established ASDAS-CRP cut-off values. However, applying the estimated cut-offs did not increase the level of agreement between ASDAS-ESR and ASDAS-CRP disease activity states to a relevant degree. Our findings did not provide evidence to reject the established cut-off values for ASDAS-ESR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spondylitis Association of America (SAA) and the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) convened a conference on the campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on September 28 and 29, 2023, to identify unmet needs in spondyloarthritis (SpA) research. The conference featured presentations by experts in areas of disease endotypes, pain, innovative imaging in SpA, health disparities in rheumatic diseases, and therapeutics. Members of the conference planning committee moderated the sessions and led the development of manuscripts summarizing recommendations to address unmet research needs. Early career investigators were invited to submit abstracts, which were presented at a networking session during the conference. Here, we highlight each of the sessions comprising the conference in the form of manuscripts published together as a conference summary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two years after its inception, Young Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (Y-GRAPPA) has established itself as a productive network for junior investigators and clinicians. The group’s achievements in the last year include updating the educational GRAPPA slide library, the “Bring a Derm” campaign to expand the GRAPPA community to include more dermatologists, and the publication of multiple “Do Not Miss” newsletters covering the highlights on PsDs from the major international conferences (American Academy of Dermatology [AAD] Annual Meeting, European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology [EULAR] Congress, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology [EADV] Congress, and American College of Rheumatology [ACR] Convergence). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) Collaborative Research Network (CRN)/research committee met during the GRAPPA 2023 annual meeting. Updates were provided on GRAPPA research projects, including the Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis (AXIS), Axial Psoriatic Arthritis Molecular and Clinical Characterisation Study, Diagnostic Ultrasound Enthesitis Tool (DUET), and Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis of the Effectiveness of Advanced Therapies (SAGE) studies, as well as the Health Initiatives in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium European States (HIPPOCRATES) and Elucidating the Landscape of Immunoendotypes in Psoriatic Skin and Synovium (ELLIPSS) studies. The highlight of the meeting was a presentation and discussion on the use of digital tools to study psoriatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Although exercise therapy is safe, effective, and recommended as a nonpharmacological treatment for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), there is a lack of guidelines regarding type and dosage. Insufficient knowledge about physical and physiological variables makes designing effective exercise programs challenging. Therefore, the goal of this study was to simultaneously assess trunk strength, spinal mobility, and the cardiorespiratory fitness of patients with axSpA. Methods. In a cross-sectional study, 58 patients with axSpA (mean age 40.8 yrs, 50% male, mean symptom duration 10.3 yrs) performed maximal cervical and trunk mobility and isometric strength tests in all planes (using David Back Concept devices) and a maximal cardiopulmonary bicycle exercise test (n = 25). Mobility and strength data were compared to healthy reference data. Cut-off values for clinical cardiopulmonary exercise testing interpretation were used to judge normality. Patients were compared based on radiographic involvement and symptom duration. Results. Both strength (P = 0.02) and mobility (P = 0.001) were significantly lower for the patients with axSpA compared to the reference. Strength deficits were comparable between the radiographic and nonradiographic groups (P > 0.05, except trunk extension [P = 0.03]), whereas mobility showed higher deficits in the radiographic group (cervical extension [P = 0.02] and rotation [P = 0.01], and trunk extension [P = 0.03] and rotation [P = 0.03]), regardless of symptom duration. Similarly, symptom duration positively affected oxygen pulse (P = 0.03), relative anaerobic threshold (P = 0.02), and aerobic capacity (P = 0.02). Conclusion. In patients with axSpA, strength is more affected than mobility when compared to healthy controls. Likewise, mainly the metabolic component of aerobic capacity is impaired, affecting cardiopulmonary fitness. These findings indicate that future personalized exercise programs in patients with axSpA should incorporate exercises for cardiopulmonary fitness next to strength and mobility training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an immune-mediated disease characterized by pain, stiffness, and swelling of peripheral joints, with an estimated prevalence in Canada of 0.45%. Treatment aims to minimize disease activity, reduce progression of damage, and improve quality of life. Secukinumab (SEC) is a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) that has demonstrated efficacy and safety for PsA in clinical trials; however, there is limited real-world evidence on its use in Canada. The objective of this study was to use the Canadian Spondyloarthritis (CanSpA) Research Network to describe real-world retention and effectiveness of SEC among Canadian patients with PsA. Methods. This was an observational cohort study of Canadian patients with PsA, 18 to 65 years of age, who attended a clinic of the CanSpA network and received treatment with SEC. Patients were indexed on the date they first initiated SEC. Retention was assessed at 12 months postindex. Clinical effectiveness was measured as the proportion of patients in remission and change in disease activity from baseline to 12 months using several clinical indices. Results. In total, 213 patients were included. Overall retention was estimated at 73.6% at 12 months (81.8% for bDMARD- or targeted synthetic DMARD-naïve patients). Out of 110 patients, 17 (15.5%) were in remission based on the Disease Activity Index in Psoriatic Arthritis in 28 joints, and 10 out of 70 patients (14.3%) were in remission based on the Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score at 12 months. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index improved by 65.8%; the tender joint count in 68 joints and the swollen joint count in 66 joints improved by 65.5% and 73.7%, respectively. Conclusion. This is the first nationwide study that we know of to describe real-world use of SEC in Canada for PsA, and the results support its effectiveness in a Canadian real-world setting. The CanSpA network represents a unique opportunity to build and improve the real-world evidence base for SpA treatment in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory condition consisting of 2 clinical subsets: nonradiographic axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis, the latter having an estimated prevalence of 0.2% to 1% in Canada. Secukinumab (SEC) received Health Canada approval in 2016 for the treatment of adults with axSpA who have responded inadequately to conventional treatment, and has demonstrated efficacy and safety through extensive clinical trials. However, there is limited evidence on its real-world use in Canada. The objective of this study was to use the Canadian Spondyloarthritis (CanSpA) Research Network to describe real-world retention and effectiveness of SEC in the Canadian axSpA population. Methods. This was an observational cohort study of Canadian patients with axSpA aged 18 to 65 years within the CanSpA network who had received treatment with SEC. Patients were indexed on the first date of SEC initiation. Retention and clinical effectiveness were assessed at 12 months postindex. Clinical effectiveness was measured as the proportion in remission and change in disease activity using multiple clinical indices. Results. A total of 146 patients were included. Overall retention was estimated at 62.9%. Low disease activity (ie, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index < 4) was achieved in 29.2% of patients, and 2% had achieved remission based on the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index scores improved by more than 60% from baseline to 12 months. Conclusion. The results of this real-world study of Canadian patients with axSpA, one of the first of its kind, support the effectiveness of SEC for treatment of axSpA. The CanSpA network presents an opportunity to continue building and improving the real-world evidence base for treatment of Canadian patients with spondyloarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify factors associated with work-related issues in Canadian patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).Methods: Data from 542 Canadian patients who participated in the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS) online survey were analysed. Participants who were employed, unemployed, or on short-term disability were included in this analysis. Regression analysis was used to study the association between work-related issues, disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI]), and psychological distress (12-item General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-12]).Results: Mean ± SD age of surveyed participants was 44.3 ± 13.9 years, 81.0% were university educated, and 52.6% employed. A substantial proportion had high disease activity (BASDAI, 72.1%) and psychological distress (GHQ-12, 53.1%); 81.1% had workrelated issues. This study analysed responses from a subset of participants who were either employed, unemployed, or on short-term disability (n=339). Ninety percent of this subset reported at least one work-related issue in the year before questionnaire completion, with the most frequent being absenteeism (49.3%) and missing work for healthcare provider visits (42.5%). Factoring in disability benefits eliminated the association between work-related issues and disease activity, for all variables except fatigue (r=0.217; p=0.028) and discomfort (r=0.196; p=0.047). Difficulty fulfilling working hours (B=2.342; 95% CI, 1.413 to 3.272) and impact on professional advancement (B=1.426; 95% CI, 0.355 to 2.497) were associated with psychological distress. In the presence of disability benefits, only the impact on professional advancement remained (B=2.304; 95% CI, 0.082 to 4.527).Conclusion: Work-related issues are associated with worse patient-reported outcomes, both physical and psychological. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: RE-EMBARK investigated etanercept (ETN) withdrawal and re-treatment in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) achieving inactive disease (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02509026).Methods: Patients received ETN and background NSAID for 24 weeks in Period 1 (P1); those achieving inactive disease (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein [ASDAS-CRP] <1.3) discontinued ETN for ≤ 40 weeks (P2). Patients who flared (ASDAS with erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ASDAS-ESR] ≥ 2.1) were re-treated for 12 weeks in P3. Primary endpoint was proportion of patients with inactive disease who flared within 40 weeks of ETN withdrawal. Baseline characteristics were analyzed post hoc as predictors of maintenance and regain of inactive disease, respectively, using univariate logistic and stepwise multivariable logistic regression models.Results: The proportion of patients experiencing flare following ETN withdrawal (P2) increased from 22.3% (25/112) after 4 weeks to 67.0% (77/115) after 40 weeks; 74.8% (86/115) experienced flare at any time during P2. Median time to flare was 16.1 weeks. Most patients (62.1% [54/87]) re-treated with ETN in P3 re-achieved inactive disease. Absence of both sacroiliitis detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) > 88 3 mg/l at baseline predicted inactive disease maintenance in P2 following ETN withdrawal in multivariable analysis; male sex and age < 40 years predicted regaining inactive disease in P3 after flare/re-treatment. There were no unexpected safety signals.Conclusion: Approximately 25.2% maintained inactive disease for 40 weeks after discontinuing ETN. Absence of both MRI-sacroiliitis and high hs-CRP at baseline predicted response maintenance after ETN withdrawal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "What's in a Name: The Value of Defining Core Competencies for Extended Role Practitioners in Arthritis Care" published in the Journal of Rheumatology discusses the importance of standardizing competencies for allied health practitioners (AHPs) in arthritis care. The authors advocate for formal recognition and training for AHPs to optimize their advanced specialty roles, citing the success of the Advanced Clinician Practitioner in Arthritis Care (ACPAC) program in Canada. The ACPAC program has trained over 130 practitioners for extended roles in arthritis care, emphasizing the need for standardized post-entry practice education to enhance patient care and provider capacity. [Extracted from the article]

Objective. To assess the association between self-reported and performance-based physical functioning and to evaluate which performance tests are most frequently impaired in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods. Consecutive patients with axSpA underwent standardized assessments including patient and disease characteristics; patient-reported outcomes for disease activity, functioning, depression, mobility, and physical activity; and performance tests. Patients were defined as being impaired if they were not able to perform ≥ 1 of the performance tests. Validated cut-offs were used to define impaired physical performance. Impairment of performance tests as well as discrimination between subgroups were analyzed. Results. A total of 200 patients (radiographic axSpA 66.5%, nonradiographic axSpA 33.5%) were included: 69% males, mean age 44.3 (SD 12.5) years, and mean symptom duration 17.9 (SD 12.6) years. The 2 most frequently impaired performance tests were the repeated chair stand test (n = 75, 37.5%) and putting on socks (n = 44, 22%). An impairment in ≥ 1 performance test was seen in 91 patients (45.5%). Patients with impairments were older (49.1 yrs vs 40.3 yrs); had a higher BMI (28.9 kg/m² vs 25.8 kg/m²); a more active disease (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, 3.0 vs 2.1); higher Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI; 5.8 vs 2.7), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI; 4.4 vs 2.7), and Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society Health Index scores (9.5 vs 4.9); and higher depression screen values (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, 11.6 vs 6.5; all P < 0.01). Conclusion. Many patients with axSpA had impairments in physical performance tests. Importantly, this was frequently seen in tasks requiring coordination and muscle power of the lower extremity. Performance tests provide qualitatively different information than BASFI and BASMI assessments in patients with axSpA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ultrasound (US) is increasingly used to evaluate enthesitis. One of the US features of enthesitis is thickening. However, there is no consensus on how the entheseal thickening needs to be defined, and existing cut-off levels have been criticized for being frequently positive in healthy controls (HCs). Our objective was to determine the frequency of thickening of entheses on US using the existing cut-off values in HCs and in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and propose new values to improve discriminative value.Methods: Eighty HCs and 100 patients with axSpA had US scans of 2160 entheses. Sensitivity, specificity, odds ratio (OR), and accuracy were calculated according to accepted cut-off levels from the literature and proposed cut-offs were calculated as the mean ± 2 SD.Results: Thickening according to current cut-off levels was found in 20.4% (196/960) of healthy participants' entheses and 33% (396/1200) of entheses of patients with axSpA. Thickening according to proposed cut-off levels decreased frequency of thickening in both groups, and therefore increased specificity at the cost of decreasing sensitivity. The only anatomical site where the thickness had a value to discriminate disease from health was seen at the triceps tendon enthesis with an OR of 13.4 (95% CI 4.0-44.8) according to the current cut-offs compared to 10.3 (95% CI 4.0-26.6) with the proposed cut-off levels.Conclusion: Although using cut-offs appears to be an appealing method to evaluate entheseal thickness, the measurements may be affected by several confounding factors, leading to a low discriminative value, except for at the triceps tendon enthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To develop and validate a patient knowledge questionnaire regarding axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods. Knowledge considered essential for patients with axSpA was identified through Delphi rounds among rheumatologists, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and patients, then reformulated to develop the knowledge questionnaire. Cross-sectional validation was performed in 14 rheumatology departments to assess internal validity (Kuder-Richardson coefficient), external validity, acceptability, reproducibility (Lin concordance correlation coefficient), and sensitivity to change (knowledge score before vs after patient education sessions and effect size). Results. The Spondyloarthritis Knowledge Questionnaire (SPAKE) is a self-administered 42-item questionnaire with a 32-item short form, both scored 0 to 100, assessing knowledge of disease, comorbidities, pharmacological treatments, nonpharmacological treatments, self-care, and adaptive skills. In the validation study (130 patients; 67 [51.5%] male, mean age 43.5 [SD 12.9] yrs), the mean (SD) score of the long-form questionnaire was 71.6 (15.4), with higher scores (better knowledge) in nonpharmacological treatments and adaptive skills and lower scores in cardiovascular comorbidity and pharmacological treatments. Acceptability was good, with no missing data; the internal validity coefficient was 0.85. Reproducibility was good (0.81, 95% CI 0.72-0.89). SPAKE showed good sensitivity to change; scores were 69.2 (15.3) then 82.7 (14.0) after patient education sessions (Hedges effect size = 0.92, 95% CI 0.52-1.31). Conclusion. SPAKE is a knowledge questionnaire for patients with axSpA, developed with the involvement of HCPs and patients and reflecting current recommendations for the management of axSpA. SPAKE will be useful in assessing knowledge acquisition and self-management strategies in routine care and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine (1) the proportion of routine spondyloarthritis (SpA) outpatient visits considered (un)necessary by rheumatologists, (2) characteristics of (un)necessary visits, and (3) whether previsit remote health outcome assessments can identify the necessity of ensuing visits.Methods: A random sample of follow-up visits was evaluated at an SpA outpatient clinic. Before visits, patient-reported outcomes and disease activity were collected through an online health registry (SpA-Net). Rheumatologists were asked whether visits were considered necessary and whether therapy was altered. Clinical actions during visits were documented alongside demographic and clinical patient characteristics; these were compared for necessary vs unnecessary visits. Multivariable logistic regressions explored which previsit health outcomes (disease activity, patient-reported physical and mental health) were associated with the perceived necessity of visits. Predictive value was calculated for high disease activity thresholds of Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and patient global assessment (PtGA).Results: Of 114 outpatient visits, 39 (34.2%) were considered unnecessary. These visits involved fewer treatment changes (6 of 39 [15.4%] vs 39 of 75 [52.0%] visits) and clinical actions (9 of 39 [23.1%] vs 47 of 75 [62.7%] visits) compared to visits considered necessary. Previsit ASDAS (OR 4.06, 95% CI 1.80-9.17) and PtGA (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.25-2.17) were associated with the perceived necessity of visits. Positive predictive value of ASDAS ≥ 2.1 and PtGA ≥ 3.0 were 91.7% and 80.0%, respectively.Conclusion: Traditional physician-initiated follow-up for patients with SpA likely results in a suboptimal use of time and resources. Remote disease activity assessments can help identify patients for whom visits might be necessary from a rheumatologist's perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a wearable activity tracker used to encourage physical activity, on disease flares in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).Methods: This randomized controlled trial involved randomizing 108 patients with SpA into tracker and nontracker groups. The participants were then subjected to assessments of disease activity, performance (6-minute walk test), and quality of life (QOL; 36-item Short Form Health Survey) at the 12th, 24th, and 36th week. The primary outcome was the change in the frequency of flare episodes (categorized as no flare, flare in ≤ 3 days, and flare in > 3 days) between baseline and 12 weeks.Results: The results of the study showed that at the 12th week, the mean change (∆) of the number of flares improved in both groups: -0.32 (95% CI -0.66 to 0.02) and -0.38 (95% CI -0.68 to -0.09) in the tracker and nontracker group, respectively. However, the between-group differences were insignificant (P = 0.87). Performance scores improved in both groups at the 12th, 24th, and 36th week (all P < 0.01). The different dimensions of QOL also improved at the 12th week (P < 0.01). Conversely, moderate flares (P < 0.01) and performance (P < 0.01) improved over time; however, the influence over time of a wearable activity tracker was not significant (P = 0.29 and P = 0.66, respectively).Conclusion: The use of a wearable activity tracker did not affect the number of flares, performance, or QOL of patients with SpA. Nevertheless, this study confirmed the benefits of physical activity on flares, disease activity, QOL, and physical performance in patients with SpA. (Move Your Spondyl "Better Live Its Rheumatism With the Physical Activity"; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03458026). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important aspect in the management of chronic diseases such as spondyloarthritis (SpA). A promising approach to reduce respondent burden when measuring HRQOL is the use of shorter patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) delivered using computerized adaptive tests (CATs). However, the lack of an item bank that covers the entire continuum of the HRQOL domain impedes the development of CATs to measure HRQOL among patients with SpA. We aimed to develop an item bank for an HRQOL measure among patients with SpA based on the items from existing validated PROMs.Methods: This study is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) and Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) standards. Relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO (Ovid) databases. Items from existing PROMs were binned and winnowed according to the facets of HRQOL in the World Health Organization (WHO) quality of life framework.Results: We identified 147 relevant articles, from which written permission was obtained for including 31 PROMs into the item bank. PROMs contained 1039 items, which underwent binning and winnowing. This resulted in 968 items covering 23 domains of HRQOL in the WHO framework, with the number of items within each domain ranging from 1 to 453.Conclusion: We created an item bank to measure HRQOL among patients with SpA using items from validated PROMs. This set can provide the foundation for the development of CATs to measure HRQOL among patients with SpA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 76th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Rheumatology Association was held virtually on February 2-5, 2022. The program consisted of presentations covering original research, symposia, awards, and lectures. Highlights of the meeting include the following 2022 Award Winners: Distinguished Rheumatologist, John G. Hanly and Lori B. Tucker; Distinguished Teacher-Educator, Stephen Aaron; Emerging Investigator, Jessica Widdifield; Ian Watson Award for the Best Abstract on SLE Research by a Trainee, Maher Banjari; Phil Rosen Award for the Best Abstract on Clinical or Epidemiology Research by a Trainee, Molly Dushnicky; Best Abstract by a Rheumatology Resident, Wen Qi; Best Abstract on Basic Science Research by a Trainee, Omar Cruz Correa; Best Abstract by a Post-Graduate Research Trainee, Holly Philpott; Best Abstract on Quality Care Initiatives in Rheumatology, Michael Zeeman; Best Abstract by a Medical Student, Samir Magdy Iskander; Best Abstract by an Undergraduate Student, Daniel Onwuka; Best Abstract by a Rheumatology Post-Graduate Research Trainee, Jennifer Lee; Best Abstract on Research by Young Faculty, Nancy Maltez; Best Abstract on Pediatric Research by Young Faculty, Chelsea DeCoste; Best Abstract on Spondyloarthritis Research, Vanessa Ocampo; Practice Reflection Award, Gold, Bailey Dyck. Lectures and other events included: Keynote Lecture by Grace Wright: Towards Equity: Is Everyone in the Rheum Paving the Path to Equity with Diversity?; State of the Art Lecture by Tuhina Neogi: Pain Across the Spectrum of Rheumatic Diseases; Dunlop-Dottridge Lecture by Simon Carette: Vasculitis: What Have We Learned in the Past 50 Years?; and the Great Debate: Be it Resolved that the Rheumatology Healthcare Provider Is Responsible for Prescribing and Monitoring Physical Activity. Arguing for: Claire LeBlanc and Laura Passalent, and against: Arthur Bookman and Marie Clements-Baker. Topics including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, vasculitis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and their respective diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes are reflected in the abstracts, which we are pleased to publish in this issue of The Journal of Rheumatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Juvenile Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Index (JSpADA), a disease activity index that was developed for the juvenile SpA population. The study examined an abbreviated version of the JSpADA by reviewing visits of patients with SpA captured in the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Registry.

Objective. To determine (1) the prevalence of central obesity in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and its effect on disease-related outcomes and (2) how this differs between sexes. Methods. Data were extracted from the Ankylosing Spondylitis Registry of Ireland. Patients with physical measurements for the calculation of anthropometric measures were included. BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were used to compare classifications of obesity. Comparison analyses based on sex and central obesity were carried out. Multivariate analysis examined the effects of these factors on the following patient-reported outcomes: the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Results. In total, 753 patients were included in the analysis. Of these patients, 29.6% (n = 223) were classified as obese based on their BMI, and 41.3% (n = 311) were classified as centrally obese according to the WHR. The prevalence of central obesity was significantly higher among women with axSpA compared to men (71.6% vs 29.9%, P < 0.01). Central obesity had a clear effect on patient outcomes, regardless of sex. Presence of central obesity was associated with significantly worse BASFI scores (P < 0.01), HAQ scores (P < 0.01), and ASQoL questionnaire scores (P = 0.01), with a nonsignificant trend toward worse BASDAI scores (P = 0.07). Conclusion. There was a high prevalence of central obesity as assessed by the WHR in axSpA, most notably among women with axSpA. This modifiable comorbidity was significantly associated with worse quality of life, greater impairment of functional ability, and a trend toward worse disease activity. Regular use of the WHR to screen for central obesity as part of an axSpA assessment would provide an opportunity for prompt identification and intervention for at-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Few studies examine psychopathology in different juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) subtypes and disease activity states. We aimed to (1) evaluate emotional and behavioral symptoms in children with juvenile spondyloarthritis (SpA) and polyarticular arthritis (PolyA) as compared to a national normative population using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and (2) evaluate the relationship between CBCL scores and disease activity.Methods: Patients with JIA aged 6-17 years with SpA or PolyA were recruited from our pediatric rheumatology clinic from April 2018 to April 2019 and the CBCL and clinical Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score in 10 joints (cJADAS10) were completed. Primary outcome measures were CBCL total competence, internalizing, externalizing, and total problems raw scores. We compared outcomes from each group to national CBCL normative data. To investigate the relationship between CBCL scores and disease activity, we ran a generalized linear regression model for all patients with arthritis with cJADAS10 as the main predictor.Results: There were 111 patients and 1753 healthy controls (HCs). Compared to HCs, patients with SpA or PolyA had worse total competence and internalizing scores. Higher cJADAS10 scores were associated with worse total competence, worse internalizing, and higher total problems scores. Most of these differences reached statistical significance (P < 0.01). Self-harm/suicidality was almost 4-fold higher in patients with PolyA than HCs (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3-9.6, P = 0.011).Conclusion: Our study shows that patients with SpA and PolyA with more active disease have worse psychological functioning in activities, school, and social arenas, and more internalized emotional disturbances, suggesting the need for regular mental health screening by rheumatologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The entheses are more than a point of anatomical attachment for tendons, ligaments, joint capsules and fascia to bones; its involvement in the pathophysiology of spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is the cornerstone of these diseases. In 1971, the relevance of the enthesis as the primary pathological site of seronegative SpA was clearly defined.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the presence of axial symptoms in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and examine differences between those with or without a diagnosis of axial PsA (axPsA).Methods: Patients with PsA at their Corevitas' (formerly Corrona) Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondyloarthritis Registry enrollment visit were stratified into 4 mutually exclusive groups based on axial manifestations: physician-diagnosed axPsA only (Dx+Sx-), patient-reported elevated spine symptoms only (Dx-Sx+; defined as Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index ≥ 4 and spine pain visual analog scale ≥ 40), physician-diagnosed and patient-reported manifestations (Dx+Sx+), and no axial manifestations (Dx-Sx-). Patient characteristics, disease activity, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at enrollment in each axial manifestation group were compared with the Dx-Sx- group. Associations of patient characteristics with the odds of having axial manifestations were estimated using multinomial logistic regression (reference: Dx-Sx-).Results: Of 3393 patients included, 226 (6.7%) had Dx+Sx-, 698 (20.6%) had Dx-Sx+, 165 (4.9%) had Dx+Sx+, and 2304 (67.9%) had Dx-Sx-. Patients with Dx-Sx+ or Dx+Sx+ were more frequently women and had a history of depression and fibromyalgia (FM) vs patients who had Dx-Sx-. Patients with Dx+Sx- or Dx+Sx+ were more frequently HLA-B27 positive than those with Dx-Sx-. FM was significantly associated with increased odds of Dx+Sx- or Dx+Sx+. Disease activity and PROs were worse in patients with Dx-Sx+ or Dx+Sx+ than in those with Dx-Sx-.Conclusion: Patients who had self-reported elevated spine symptoms, with or without physician-diagnosed axPsA, had worse quality of life and higher disease activity overall than patients without axial manifestations, suggesting an unmet need in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effect of ixekizumab (IXE) on radiographic changes in the spine in patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) by measuring change from baseline through 2 years in modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS), and to identify potential predictors of progression.Methods: This study evaluates patients from COAST-V (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02696785, biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve) and COAST-W (NCT02696798, tumor necrosis factor inhibitor-experienced) who had mSASSS data at baseline in the originating studies and 108 weeks after baseline in the extension study COAST-Y (NCT03129100). We examined the proportion of patients who did not have spinal radiographic progression through 2 years (108 weeks) of treatment with IXE (80 mg every 2 or 4 weeks) and the change from baseline to year 2 in mSASSS. Potential predictors of spinal radiographic progression were also evaluated.Results: Among patients with evaluable radiographs who were originally assigned to IXE (n = 230), mean (SD) change in mSASSS from baseline at year 2 was 0.3 (1.8). The proportion of nonprogressors over 2 years was 89.6% if defined as mSASSS change from baseline < 2 and 75.7% if defined as mSASSS change from baseline ≤ 0. Predictors of structural progression at year 2 (mSASSS change > 0) were age ≥ 40, baseline syndesmophytes, HLA-B27 positivity, and male sex. Week 52 inflammation in Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada spine was also a predictor of radiographic progression at year 2 in patients with magnetic resonance imaging data in COAST-V (n = 109).Conclusion: The majority of patients with r-axSpA receiving IXE had no radiographic progression in the spine through 2 years of treatment. Predictors were generally consistent with previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate concurrent validity and discrimination of the Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score, Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score (PASDAS), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) in peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) in clinical practice.Methods: Data from a Dutch registry for SpA (SpA-Net) were used. Predefined hypotheses on concurrent validity of the composite measures with 15 other outcome measures of disease activity, physical function, and health-related quality of life were tested. Concurrent validity was considered acceptable if ≥ 75% of the hypotheses were confirmed. Discrimination was assessed by stratifying patients in DAPSA, PASDAS, and ASDAS predefined disease activity states and studying mean differences in health outcomes by 1-way ANOVA. Further, the concordance in disease activity states was determined. All analyses were repeated in subgroups with and without psoriasis (PsO).Results: DAPSA, PASDAS, and ASDAS scores were available for 191, 139, and 279 patients with pSpA, respectively. The concurrent validity and discrimination of all composite measures were acceptable, as the strength of correlations were as hypothesized in ≥ 75% of the studied correlations. With increasing disease activity states, scores in nearly all outcome measures worsened significantly. The DAPSA, PASDAS, and ASDAS classified 22%, 56%, and 48% of the patients, respectively, in the 2 highest disease activity states. Stratified analyses for concomitant PsO revealed no relevant subgroup differences.Conclusion: The performance of DAPSA, PASDAS, and ASDAS in pSpA was acceptable, and independent of concomitant PsO. Due to discrepancy in classification, the validity of existing thresholds for disease activity states warrants further study in pSpA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created multiple uncertainties regarding rheumatic diseases or their treatment, with regard to the susceptibility to or severity of the viral disease. We aimed to address these questions as they relate to spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods. We created a longitudinal survey from April 10, 2020, to April 26, 2021. There were 4723 subjects with SpA and 450 household contacts who participated worldwide. Of these, 3064 respondents were from the US and 70.4% of them provided longitudinal data. To control for the duration of potential risk of COVID-19, the rate of contracting the disease was normalized for person-months of exposure. Results. In an analysis of US subjects who provided longitudinal data, the incident rate ratio for the 159 (out of 2157) subjects who tested positive for COVID-19 was 1.16 compared to the US population as adjusted for age and sex (range 0.997-1.361, P = 0.06). A paired evaluation using patients and household members did not show a statistically significant effect to indicate a predisposition for developing COVID-19 as a result of SpA or its treatment. Our data failed to show that any class of medication commonly used to treat SpA significantly affected the risk of developing COVID-19 or increasing the severity of COVID-19. Conclusion. These data do not exclude a small increased risk of developing COVID-19 as a result of SpA, but the risk, if it exists, is low and not consistently demonstrated. The data should provide reassurance to patients and to rheumatologists about the risk that COVID-19 poses to patients with SpA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and 4-year incidence of acute anterior uveitis (AAU), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psoriasis (PsO), and to explore associations of newly developed extraskeletal manifestations (ESMs) with clinical disease outcome in a large cohort of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).Methods: All consecutive patients included in the Groningen Leeuwarden Axial Spondyloarthritis (GLAS) cohort between 2004 and 2011 were analyzed. History of ESMs at baseline and newly developed ESMs during 4-year follow-up were only recorded when diagnosis by an ophthalmologist, gastroenterologist, or dermatologist was present.Results: Of the 414 included patients with axSpA, 31.4% had a positive history of ≥ 1 ESMs: 24.9% AAU, 9.4% IBD, and 4.3% PsO. History of PsO was significantly associated with more radiographic damage, especially of the cervical spine. Of the 362 patients with 4-year follow-up data, 15.7% patients developed an ESM: 13.3% patients had AAU (of which 3.6% had a first episode and 9.7% had recurrent AAU), 1.9% developed IBD, and 0.8% developed PsO. Patients with newly developed ESMs (without history of ESMs) had worse Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life scores (mean 10.0 vs. 5.8, P = 0.001), larger occiput-wall distance (median 6.3 vs. 2.0, P = 0.02) and more limited modified Schober test (mean 12.6 vs. 13.6, P = 0.01) after 4 years of follow-up. The majority of patients developing an ESM used anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.Conclusion: History of ESMs was present at baseline in one-third of patients with axSpA. The 4-year incidence of ESMs was relatively low, but patients who developed a new ESM reported worse quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) encompasses a group of inflammatory rheumatic diseases that share clinical and imaging characteristics as well as a common genetic basis. These diseases can affect 0.20-1.6% of the general population, limiting functioning and affecting the quality of life of patients. Considering the patient perspective in the management of the disease and ensuring patients are sufficiently prepared to participate in decision making is critical to treatment success, as well as for optimal health outcomes. The overall picture of impairments, limitations, and restrictions in activities or social participation for patients with SpA is not adequately assessed in SpA-specific instruments. Therefore, it is important to measure the broader range of impairments that can affect patients with SpA and integrate these into a single measure of overall functioning in daily life. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI) is a recently introduced health instrument for evaluating SpA based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) that could cover a good part of the health metric needs in SpA. This review addresses its origins, measurement properties, and use in routine clinical practice, as well as its prospects for future use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although there are different tools to evaluate axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), they are hardly used in routine clinical practice due to time constraints. The Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) is a composite measure feasible for use as a sole metric in busy clinics. We aimed to test its measurement properties in patients with axial SpA in a real-world clinical setting.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 131 consecutive patients with axial SpA. The convergent (Spearman ρ) and discriminant (receiver-operating characteristic [ROC] curve analysis) validity of RAPID3 were tested against several axSpA-specific measures (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI], Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS], Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index [BASFI], and modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score [mSASSS]). A multivariate model was built to detect disease factors associated with RAPID3 remission (values ≤ 3).Results: The study included 82 men and 49 women, with a median age of 55 (IQR 46-61) years, and a median disease duration of 11 (IQR 6-24) years. Mean RAPID3 was 9.45 ± 6.7. The BASDAI showed moderate correlation with ASDAS (ρ 0.66, P < 0.0001), but higher correlations with BASFI (ρ 0.78, P < 0.0001) and RAPID3 (ρ 0.75, P < 0.0001). The ASDAS had moderate correlations with BASFI, BASDAI, and RAPID3 (ranges 0.66-0.68, P < 0.0001). Higher correlations were found between BASFI and BASDAI (ρ 0.78, P < 0.0001), and BASFI and RAPID3 (ρ 0.73, P < 0.0001). The mSASSS did not show any correlation with any of the above composite measures. κ agreement between RAPID3 remission and other SpA remission criteria was moderate (κ 0.46-0.56). The RAPID3 thresholds to define remission ranged from values ≤ 2 to ≤ 6 with areas under the ROC curve between 0.86-0.91. Female sex (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.90, P = 0.03) and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug intake (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10-0.66, P = 0.005) were independently associated with lower odds of achieving RAPID3 remission.Conclusion: RAPID3 demonstrated construct validity in this cross-sectional study. This index can be useful for a more comprehensive assessment of axSpA in busy clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Advances in the field of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and the methodology to develop core sets have led the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) group to update the ASAS-Outcomes in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core set. An important aspect was to ensure it would be applicable to the entire spectrum of axSpA. The first step was to define the most relevant disease domains.Methods: A 3-round Delphi survey was conducted to gather opinions of 188 patients and 188 axSpA experts to define the most relevant disease domains to be included in the core set. The Delphi survey evaluated 2 separate research settings: (1) studies assessing symptom-modifying therapies; and (2) studies evaluating disease-modifying therapies. Importance of the domains was rated on a 1-9 Likert scale. A domain was considered for inclusion if, for both stakeholder groups, ≥ 70% of participants scored the domain as critical (7-9) and ≤ 15% scored it as not important (1-3) after 3 rounds.Results: A total of 132 (70%) patients and 135 (72%) experts completed at least 1 round. After 3 rounds, 7 domains (pain, physical function, stiffness, disease activity, mobility, overall functioning and health, peripheral manifestations) were selected for the symptom-modifying therapies setting. For the disease-modifying therapies setting, 6 domains (physical function, disease activity, mobility, structural damage, extramusculoskeletal manifestations, peripheral manifestations) were selected. All domains selected by experts were also selected by patients. Patients selected all offered domains except emotional function.Conclusion: This study provides the domains selected by patients and axSpA experts that should be considered for the core set for axSpA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), sacroiliac joint (SIJ) erosion is often followed by fat metaplasia in an erosion cavity (backfill), and subsequently ankylosis. We aimed to combine the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) SIJ structural score for erosion, backfill, and ankylosis into 3 versions of a novel preliminary axSpA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) SIJ Composite Structural Damage Score (CSDS) and to test these.Methods: Thirty-three patients with axSpA, followed for 5 years after initiation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor, had MRIs of the SIJs at baseline, and yearly thereafter. Three versions of CSDS were calculated based on different weightings of erosion, backfill, and ankylosis: (1) equal weighting: CSDSequal = (erosion × 0.5) + backfill + ankylosis; (2) advanced stages weighting more: CSDSstepwise = (erosion × 1) + (backfill × 4 ) + (ankylosis × 6); and (3) advanced stages overruling earlier stages ("hierarchical") with "<" meaning "overruled by": CSDShierarchical = (erosion × 1) < (backfill × 4) < (ankylosis × 6).Results: At baseline, all CSDS correlated positively with SPARCC fat and ankylosis scores and modified New York radiography grading, and negatively with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Index and SPARCC SIJ inflammation scores. CSDSstepwise and CSDShierarchical (not CSDSequal) correlated positively with symptom duration and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, and closer with SPARCC ankylosis score and modified New York radiography grading than CSDSequal. The adjusted annual progression rate for CSDSstepwise and CSDShierarchical (not CSDSequal) was higher the first year compared with fourth year (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01). Standardized response mean (baseline to Week 46) was moderate for CSDShierarchical (0.64) and CSDSstepwise (0.59) and small for CSDSequal (0.25).Conclusion: Particularly CSDSstepwise and CSDShierarchical showed construct validity and responsiveness, encouraging further validation in larger clinical trials. The potential clinical implication is assessment of SIJ damage progression by 1 composite score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare patient characteristics and disease burden between men and women with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in the US-based Corrona Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondyloarthritis (PsA/SpA) Registry.Methods: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with axSpA enrolled in the Corrona PsA/SpA Registry between March 2013 and November 2018 who were not concurrently diagnosed with PsA were included. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, disease activity, patient-reported symptoms, work productivity, and treatment history at enrollment were compared between men and women, using t tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables and chi-square or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables.Results: Of 498 patients with axSpA and available sex information, 307 (61.6%) were men and 191 (38.4%) were women. Compared with men, women had higher disease activity as measured by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, and physician global assessment, and had higher tender/swollen joint counts and enthesitis scores (all P ≤ 0.01). Women also had worse patient-reported symptoms (pain, fatigue, Health Assessment Questionnaire for the Spondyloarthropathies, and EuroQol visual analogue scale; all P < 0.05), had greater work and activity impairment, and were less likely to work full time than men. Prior conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug and prednisone use was more common in women than in men (both P < 0.05). Additionally, women were more likely to have diagnoses of depression and fibromyalgia (both P < 0.01).Conclusion: In this US registry of patients with axSpA, women had higher overall disease burden and more peripheral manifestations than men. Improved awareness of sex differences in the presentation of axSpA may aid physicians in earlier identification and improved disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) exhibited differences between women and men.Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and other sources in English or Spanish from January 1, 1995, to July 31, 2020, to assess the differences according to sex in BASDAI and ASDAS. We performed a comparative analysis by sex using t test and mean difference by sex metaanalyses for BASDAI and ASDAS, as well as a random-effects model using the inverse-variance method.Results: Forty-one studies included BASDAI (6785 women, 12,929 men) and 16 of them included ASDAS (2046 women, 4403 men). Disease activity detected using BASDAI was significantly higher in women than in men (mean 4.9 vs 4.2, P = 0.02), whereas ASDAS did not detect differences between sexes (mean 2.8 women vs 2.8 men). In the metaanalyses, BASDAI detected significant differences between women and men (mean difference = 0.55 [95% CI 0.46-0.65], P < 0.00001), but ASDAS did not identify significant mean difference between sexes (0.04, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.12], P = 0.38).Conclusion: The 2 most widely used indices of disease activity in spondyloarthritis (SpA) discriminate differently according to sex by their different evaluations of peripheral disease. The different components and weights in BASDAI and ASDAS influence their values. BASDAI may be affected by fatigue, and in predominantly peripheral manifestations such as enthesitis, ASDAS may not be sensitive enough to detect activity. This may represent a sex bias unfavorable to women, because peripheral SpA is more common in women than in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish the prevalence of nonradiographic sacroiliitis within a real-life sample of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), using pelvic radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of sacroiliac joints (SIJs).Methods: This cross-sectional study included 107 consecutive adults with PsA (Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis criteria). Participants completed clinical and laboratory evaluation, pelvic radiographs scored for radiographic sacroiliitis according to the modified New York (mNY) criteria, and noncontrast MRI of SIJs, scored by the Berlin score and categorized into active sacroiliitis using the 2016 Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria and the presence of structural sacroiliitis.Results: Radiographic sacroiliitis/mNY criteria were detected in 28.7% (n = 29), confirmed by MRI-detected structural lesions in 72.4% (n = 21). Active sacroiliitis was detected by MRI in 26% (n = 28) of patients, with 11% (n = 11) qualifying for nonradiographic sacroiliitis. Patients with radiographic and nonradiographic sacroiliitis had similar clinical characteristics, except for a longer duration of psoriasis (PsO) and PsA in the radiographic subgroup (PsO: 23.8 ± 12.5 vs 14.1 ± 11.7 yrs, P = 0.03; PsA: 12.3 ± 9.8 vs 4.7 ± 4.5 yrs, P = 0.02, respectively). Inflammatory back pain (IBP) was reported in 46.4% (n = 13) with active sacroiliitis and 27% (n = 3) with nonradiographic sacroiliitis. The sensitivity of IBP for detection of nonradiographic sacroiliitis was low (27%) and moderate for radiographic sacroiliitis (52%), whereas specificity ranged from 72% to 79% for radiographic and nonradiographic sacroiliitis, respectively.Conclusion: The prevalence of active sacroiliitis among a real-life population of patients with PsA was 26%. However, the prevalence of nonradiographic sacroiliitis was low (11%) compared to the radiographic sacroiliitis (28.7%) seen in patients with longer disease duration. IBP was not a sensitive indicator for the presence of early-stage sacroiliitis that was commonly asymptomatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the prevalence of axial articular manifestations (AAMs) in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), to investigate whether these symptoms reveal an associated spondyloarthritis (SpA), and to assess their therapeutic management.Methods: Among 148 consecutive patients with pSS fulfilling European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology 2019 classification criteria followed between 2010 and 2018, we selected those who presented with AAMs. The association with SpA was retained when patients fulfilled Assessment of SpA international Society criteria.Results: A total of 29 patients (20%, 28 women) with a median age of 43 years (range 15-65 yrs), were identified. The main extraglandular features were peripheral arthralgia and arthritis in 93% and 90% of patients, respectively. Positive anti-Ro/SSA (anti-SSA) antibody was reported in 62%. AAMs were inaugural in 7%, delayed from the diagnostic of pSS in 7%, and occurred concomitantly in 86% of patients. AAMs were not associated to multisystemic involvement of pSS. Radiographic sacroiliitis was mentioned in 65%, and HLA-B27 was positive in 13%. The diagnosis of SpA was retained in 23/29 patients (79%), among which 74% and 26% fulfilled psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis criteria, respectively. There was no phenotypic difference according to the anti-SSA antibody status. With a median follow-up of 60 months (range: 5-96), 61% of patients with associated SpA required biotherapies, mainly of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α or anti-interleukin 17A molecules with a good clinical outcome in 64% and no effect on pSS.Conclusion: AAMs are not uncommon in patients with pSS and may reveal an associated SpA. Treatment of AAMs, especially when clearly associated with SpA, may necessitate biologics, following SpA-management therapeutic guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) may have an effect on work. The Ankylosing Spondylitis Work Instability Scale (AS-WIS) assesses difficulties at work. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the AS-WIS on work impact.Methods: This is a prospective cohort study with 2 timepoints (at baseline and after 1.5 yrs) that included patients with axSpA who had paid employment. Patients completed the AS-WIS at baseline and work instability was scored as moderate/high if ≥ 11 (0-20 scale). At follow-up, adverse work outcomes (AWO) were grouped as moderate (short-term sick leave) or severe AWO (long-term sick leave, disability, unemployment). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explain AWO.Results: Of 101 patients, mean age 45 (SD 9) years, 52% male, disease duration was 14 (SD 8) years. The Bath AS Disease Activity Index and the Bath AS Functional Index were 34 (SD 21) and 23 (SD 23), respectively, and 69 (68%) received a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor. At baseline, 46 (46%) patients had moderate/high AS-WIS. At 1.5 years of follow-up, 37 patients (36%) had AWO: 25 patients (25%) a short-term sick leave, and 12 patients (12%, 7/100 patient-years) a severe AWO. Independent baseline factors associated with AWO were a moderate/high AS-WIS score (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.04-7.22) and shorter disease duration (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.99).Conclusion: In patients with axSpA, a moderate/high AS-WIS score was predictive of AWO in this population with well-controlled axSpA. This short questionnaire can be helpful to screen for future difficulties at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare disease characteristics, quality of life (QOL), and work productivity of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who had multidomain vs single-domain presentations.Methods: Adults with PsA enrolled in the Corrona PsA/Spondyloarthritis Registry (March 2013-August 2018) were included. Six PsA disease domains were evaluated: enthesitis, dactylitis, peripheral arthritis (PA), nail psoriasis, axial disease, and skin disease. Patients were classified as having multidomain (≥ 2 domains) or single-domain disease presentations; biologic initiators were characterized separately. Linear regression models evaluated the association of multidomain presentations with disease characteristics, QOL, and work productivity vs single-domain presentations.Results: Of 2617 patients with PsA, 1698 (64.9%) had multidomain presentations, 617 (23.6%) had single-domain presentations, and 302 (11.5%) had no active disease features. Of 354 biologic initiators, 289 (81.6%) had multidomain presentations, 45 (12.7%) had single-domain presentations, and 20 (5.6%) had no active disease features. Overall, the most common single-domain and multidomain presentations, respectively, were skin disease (12.7%) and PA + skin disease (11.7%). Multidomain presenters were more likely to have fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, and prior biologic use than single-domain presenters. Multidomain presentations were associated with significantly worse patient and physician global assessments of disease activity, pain, and fatigue; Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index and EuroQol 5-dimension scores; and work productivity at enrollment.Conclusion: In this US real-world cohort, most patients had multidomain disease presentations, which was associated with worse disease activity, QOL, and work productivity measures. This study highlights the heterogeneity of PsA and the importance of assessing all PsA domains for optimizing disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]