FRI0211 High Body Mass Index in Ankylosing Spondylitis is Associated with Greater Disease Activity and More Functional Impairmairment. (9th June 2015) - O'Shea, F.D.
Abstract : Background: In 2013, the first patients were entered in to ASRI – the Ankylosing Spondylitis Registry of Ireland. The primary objectives of ASRI are to provide basic descriptive epidemiological data on the Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) population in Ireland, and to establish a registry for potential future studies of genetics, aetiology and therapeutics. Objectives: In this current study we were interested in exploring the issue of obesity in an AS cohort, and the effect this has on disease activity and functional impairment. Methods: A standardised detailed clinical assessment of patients is performed on each patient and entered in a web-based database. Specific measures of disease activity (BASDAI), function (BASFI and HAQ), and quality of life (ASQoL) were obtained. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The cohort was divided in to those of normal weight (BMI <25), and those that were overweight or obese (BMI >25). The 2 cohorts were compared using a number of different clinical variable using standard t-test. Results: As of Dec 2014, 267 patients have been entered in the database (212 males, 55 females). The average age of the cohort is 47.8 years. The average disease duration is 21.7 years. The average delay in diagnosis is 8.2 years. As regards extra-spinal manifestations, 15.8% have Psoriasis, 40.4% have uveitis, 13% have Crohns/IBD. Of the 267 patients, 183 were overweight or obese (68.5%). There is a significant difference in BASFI scores between normal weight AS patients versus those that are overweight/obese. There is also a trend towards higher BASDAI, HAQ and ASQoL in those that are overweight/obese also. See Table below. There were a higher percentage of patients with Hypertension (30% versus 13%), Hyperlipidaemia (15% versus 7%) and Diabetes (7% versus 4%) in those that were overweight/obese. The rate of current or past smokers was very similar between the 2 cohorts, 57% (normal weight cohort) and 60% (overweight/obese cohort). Conclusions: The majority of AS patients in our cohort were overweight or obese. These patients have a greater burden of symptoms and more functional impairment. They also have a higher percentage of other cardiovascular risk factors. As our awareness of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in AS patients improves this is important information in on going management. Acknowledgements: I would like to acknowledge Abbvie and Pfizer for the unrestricted support of ASRI. I would also like to acknowledge all the effort from the rheumatology community in Ireland for their hard work, enthusiasm and support of ASRI. Disclosure of Interest: None declared