Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) places significant burden on patients across the spectrum of axSpA (non-radiographic axSpA [nr-axSpA] and ankylosing spondylitis [AS]).1
Patients with nr-axSpA may suffer from night-time back pain and morning stiffness, but don’t always tell their healthcare professional. This may be especially true in patients whose stiffness resolves with movement.2
Both nr-axSpA and AS have a similar symptom burden:1

Pain

Fatigue

Functional impairment

Lost work time

Reduced activity
Similarities3
Clinical presentation
Level of pain
Decease in functional abilities
Decrease in HRQoL*
Patient global assessment of disease
Differences
Radiographic damage in AS3
Reduced spinal mobility in AS4
More women with nr-axSpA5
More men with AS (ratio 2:1 vs women)5
*As measured by SF-36 and ASQoL questionnaires.3
AS, ankylosing spondylitis; ASQoL, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life; axSpA, axial spondyloarthritis; HRQoL, health-related quality of life; nr-axSpA, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis; SF-36, Short Form 36 Health Survey.
References:
- Mease PJ, et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018;70(11):1661–1670.
- Strand V & Singh JA. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92(4):555–564.
- Kiltz U, et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012;64(9):1415–1422.
- Malaviya AN, et al. Int J Rheum Dis. 2015;18(7):736–741.
- Boonen A, et al. Semin Arth Rheum. 2015;44(5):556–562.