Table_1_Disease activity indexes might not capture the same disease aspects in males and females with ankylosing spondylitis: A real-world nationwide analysis.DOCX

BackgroundTo evaluate gender differences in disease activity and health status (HS) in patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA)/ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodsAncillary analysis of the MIDAS study, an observational, non-interventional, cross-sectional and retrospective multicenter nationwide study to assess disease activity and its relationship with HS in clinical practice. Adult patients with AS diagnosis, fulfilling ASAS and modified New York criteria, treated for ≥3 months upon study inclusion according to clinical practice were included. The primary outcome was “disease control” assessed by the percentage of patients in remission and low disease activity (BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP scores). HS was evaluated using the ASAS health index (ASAS-HI). Patients' responses and characteristics were analyzed by gender.ResultsWe analyzed 313 patients with AS, 237 (75.7%) males and 76 (24.3%) females. A total of 202 (64.5%) patients had adequate disease control (BASDAI ConclusionThis study showed a higher proportion of females with AS and active disease using the BASDAI definition. When using the ASDAS-CRP definition these differences by gender were less pronounced. The impact of disease activity on HS appears to be higher in females than males.