AB0788 GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: EVIDENCE FOR WORSE DISEASE IN WOMEN.

Abstract

Background:Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects both sexes equally, however there seem to be significant differences in disease expression between the genders.Objectives:To investigate gender differences in disease manifestations, patient-reported outcomes and comorbidities among patients with PsA.Methods:This cross-sectional study of patients with PsA followed at an academic rheumatology outpatient clinic between 1/6/2017 and 1/12/2019. We compared clinical characteristics, patient-reported outcomes, disease activity and comorbidities in male and female patients with PsA. All patients were over 18 years of age and fulfilled the CASPAR criteria for PsA. Differences between gender in values of continuous variables were assessed by T-tests or Mann-Whitney tests. The association between categorical variables and gender was assessed by Pearson chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test.Results:135 patients, 83 (62%) women and 52 (38%) men were included. Factors studied for gender differences are shown in Table 1. Women had significantly more tender (11 vs 3 p 0.001) and swollen (10 vs 3, p 0.013) joints, worse VAS (Visual Analogue Scale 0-10) pain (6 vs 5, p <0.001), higher ESR (20 vs 11, p 0.001) and worse DAPSA(Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis) (33 vs 18 p 0.006) and presented with more enthesitis (32.5% vs 13.5%, p 0.013). In contrast, men achieved Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) more frequently (26.9% vs 3.6% p<0.001)and had significantly more comorbidities than women. Polyarthritic disease was more frequent in women (62% vs 31%), although at non-significant levels.Conclusion:Male patients with PsA have more comorbidities, while female patients have greater disease activity, worse patient reported outcomes and achieve MDA less frequently.