Abstract
Objective. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterized by periodic flares. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of patient-reported flares and their related factors.
Methods. This cross-sectional study analyzed the 2004 data of a Canadian cohort. Participants had AS according to the modified New York criteria. Current flare status ("Are you experiencing a current flare"?), number of flares over the past 3 months, their average duration, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity and Functional Index (BASDAI and BASFI, respectively), and the AS Quality of Life questionnaire were assessed by self-report. Univariate and multivariate regressions analyzed the factors associated with current flare.
Results. Among 234 analyzed patients, 169 (73.5%) were men, mean age was 45.5 (+/- 11.8) years, mean disease duration of 21.7 (+/- 11.7) years, and mean BASDAI and BASFI (0-10) of 4.4 (+/- 2.3) and 3.4 (+/- 2.6), respectively; 18 (7.7%) received antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF). Overall, 175 patients (74.8%) reported flares and 117 (50%) were currently in flare. Patients reporting flares had a median of 3 flares in 3 months, with a median duration of 2 weeks. Overall, the 234 patients spent a median of 25% of their time in flare. In multivariate analyses, current flare was significantly associated with higher BASDAI (OR 2.01, p = 0.01), worse quality of life (OR 1.37, p = 0.004), shorter AS duration (OR 1.19, p = 0.04), and less anti-TNF (OR 7.14, p = 0.03).
Conclusion. In this population, before the wide use of biologics, flares were frequent and long. As expected, flare was associated with higher disease activity, suggesting the validity of the concept of patient-reported flares.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 425-430 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Rheumatology |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2017 |
Keywords
- ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
- DISEASE ACTIVITY
- SELF-ASSESSMENT
- AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS
- DISEASE FLARES
- FOLLOW-UP
- RECOMMENDATIONS
- REMISSION
- BASDAI
- COHORT
- ASDAS
- INDEX