Insight into the Quality of Life of Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: Real-World Data from a US-Based Life Impact Survey.

INTRODUCTION

We aim to assess the real-world, US patient-reported impact of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) on quality of life (QOL) across physical, discomfort, social, and emotional domains.

METHODS

Demographic and QOL data were collected from a random sample of patients associated with the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA) from July to December 2017. QOL measures were based on the Evaluation of Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (EASi-QoL) questionnaire. The survey evaluated AS impact on the physical domain on the day of survey participation and impact on the discomfort, social, and emotional domains within the week before participation. A 3:1 (male to female) weighting was performed to reflect the reported prevalence of AS in US adults.

RESULTS

Of 820 respondents who completed the survey, 716 self-reported receiving an AS diagnosis from their doctor and were included in this analysis (mean age, 55.5 years; 46.9% male). The mean total EASi-QoL score was 28.9 (weighted); overall, 33.7%, 31.7%, and 34.7% of respondents, respectively, reported a low (EASi-QoL score 0-17), a medium (18-35), and a high (≥ 36) impact of AS on QOL. The physical domain was most impacted; 41.9% of respondents had an EASi-QoL score ≥ 10 (weighted). Women were significantly more likely than men to report a high impact of AS on all QOL domains. Biologic users reported an impact on QOL comparable with the impact on QOL of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. AS also impacted lifestyle characteristics, including career choice and sports participation.

CONCLUSION

AS negatively impacted all QOL domains analyzed. The incorporation of subjective measures of disease into disease evaluation should be considered.

FUNDING: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and UCB, Inc. Plain language summary available for this article.