Poster Session A
Epidemiology, health policy and outcomes
Elizabeth Luce, BS
MyHealthTeam
San Francisco, CA, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Just 27% of those who flare "almost all the time" agreed that they "lead a full life despite having spondylitis", compared 49% for those with flares "on and off". Many also indicated that obstacles to managing AS included pain or feeling unwell, as well as relentless fatigue (82% and 76% respectively). For example, one respondent wrote, "Lots of pain, fatigue. It has had an impact on my family."
Additionally, differences also exist with respect to doctor satisfaction and treatment. Fewer were satisfied with the doctor who primarily treats their HS (31% "extremely" or "very" satisfied compared with 42% for those who flare "on and off"). Those who flare "almost all the time" were also less likely to say that doctor "addresses symptoms of spondylitis such as pain or fatigue" (45% compared with 33% for those who flare "on and off").
Interestingly, those who flares were near-constant were significantly less likely to have been prescribed biologics (36% vs. 54% flares "on and off"). Additionally, those with almost constant flares were more likely to be treated with NSAIDs (53% vs. 43% flares "on and off" or opioids (39% vs. 28% flares "on and off") (Figure 3).
Conclusion: The extensive impact that flares have on AS patients' quality of life suggests that managing symptoms remains an ongoing concern. The obvious physical, emotional, and interpersonal toll that AS has on the lives of patients, combined with ongoing usage of opioids, indicate the need for better disease management and improved health outcomes. Frequent or near-constant flares, combined with the perception that fatigue, pain and feeling unwell act as obstacles to managing AS, is a reminder that better disease control is needed for many patients with AS.