Clinical characteristics of non‐radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: Results of the Korean Nonradiographic Axial SPondyloArthritis (KONASPA) data. (11th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jeong, Hyemin; Kim, Yong‐Gil; Kim, Tae‐Hwan; Kim, Tae‐Jong; Park, Min‐Chan; Seo, Mi Ryoung; Shin, Kichul; Oh, Ji Seon; Lee, Sang‐Hoon; Lee, Yeon‐Ah; Lee, Eun Young; Baek, Han Joo; Cha, Hoon‐Suk
• Is Part Of: International journal of rheumatic diseases. Volume 24:Number 9(2021)
• Page Start: 1137
• Page End: 1147
• Publication Date: 2021-07-11
• Subjects: ankylosing spondylitis -- body mass index -- disease progression -- sacroiliitis -- spondyloarthritis; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Asia -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Rheumatic Diseases -- Periodicals; Connective Tissue Diseases -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.723
• DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.14175
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-1841

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate clinical characteristics and natural history of non‐radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr‐axSpA) using KOrean Nonradiographic Axial SPondyloArthritis (KONASPA) data. Methods: Data were collected from 11 centers in South Korea. A total of 278 patients with nr‐axSpA from January 2018 to July 2020 were included. Demographic data, clinical features, comorbidities, disease activity, medications, and laboratory results were collected. Results: Mean age at symptom onset was 28.2 ± 14.2 years. Of 278 patients, 152 (54.7%) were male. Mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index at diagnosis was 3.5 ± 2.1. Dyslipidemia was the most common comorbidity (8.4%), followed by hypertension (6.1%). Mean age at diagnosis of nr‐axSpA was older in female patients than in male patients (31.8 ± 15.8 years vs 24.9 ± 12.0 years, P < 0.001). Enthesitis and uveitis were more frequently found in female patients than in male patients. Thirty‐one (11.1%) participants with nr‐axSpA progressed to ankylosing spondylitis. The median follow‐up duration was 48 months. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, age at symptom onset (hazard ratio [HR] 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88‐0.97, P = 0.006), body mass index (BMI) (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.06‐1.44, P = 0.005) and sacroiliitis grade (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.19‐2.92, P = 0.006) were associated with progression to ankylosing spondylitis. Conclusions: Results of nationwide data revealed that women with nr‐axSpA showed a late disease onset and more extra‐articular manifestations than men. Young age at symptom onset, high BMI, and presence of radiographic sacroiliitis at diagnosis were risk factors for progression to AS.