Inflammatory Back Pain Criteria Research Articles

A Survey Exploring Inflammatory Back Pain in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background Diagnostic delay of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a widely recognized issue worldwide, providing a great burden for patients with this disease. AxSpA is present in a significant proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This UK study primarily aims to identify the presence of inflammatory back pain (IBP) in patients attending IBD clinic.Further aims of this study include investigating if participants had received further referrals and diagnoses for their IBPand considering factors contributing to diagnostic delay. Methods Patients were recruited from a Royal Free London NHS Trust hospital's IBD clinic. Each participant completed a 23-question survey. The Berlin criteria were applied to the questions to investigate the presence of IBP. Further questions were asked about their IBD diagnosis and treatment, the healthcare professionals they had seen for their back pain, and other extra-articular features associated with axSpA. Results Seventy-five patients completed the online survey sent out via email. Forty percent (n = 30) of participants were female and 60% (n = 45) were male.Sixty-one percent (n = 36) of participants from the colitis clinic reported they had back pain, and 41% of the participants reported back pain for over three months. Of these, 39% (12) of participants fulfilled the Berlin criteria for IBP. Of patients experiencing back pain for over three months, we found that 10% (3) fulfilled the Berlin criteria but had not received a diagnosis for their IBP.All patients who had fulfilled the Berlin criteriabut had not received a diagnosis for their IBPhadseen their general practitioner(GP) and an allied healthcare professional, but not a rheumatologist. Conclusions This study highlights the presence of possibly undiagnosed axSpA in patients with IBD.The reasons for the diagnostic delay of axSpA are multifactorial. We consider specific patient characteristics, lack of awareness and education of the condition, and issues in the referral process. There is a need to improve education and awareness of axSpA, reconsider referral processes, and consider new initiatives such as joint specialty clinics to identify and treat axSpA on time.

Dissociation of clinical symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging data in axial psoriatic arthritis

Currently, there is no generally accepted definition of axial lesions in psoriatic arthritis (axPsA), and the diagnostic criteria are extrapolated from the recommendations for ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis.Objective: To evaluate data of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of spine and sacroiliac joints (SIJ) in patients with psoriasis complaining of chronic back pain of any cause.Material and methods. 143 patients were enrolled to the study, including 57 (39.9%) men and 86 (60.1%) women, median age – 47 [36; 57] years, mean duration of psoriasis was 17.4±13.4 years. In all patients, the agreement of the existing symptoms with the inflammatory back pain (IBP) criteria of A. Calin et al., M. Rudwaleit et al. and ASAS was checked. All patients underwent MRI of the spine and SIJ, determination of ESR, CRP levels, HLA-B27 and consultations with a dermatologist and a rheumatologist.Results and discussion. An association of bone marrow edema (BME) in the spine and SIJ with nail involvement (odds ratio, OR 2.32; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.12–4.81; p=0.035), palmoplantar psoriasis (OR 3.85; 95% CI 1.43–10.41; p=0.054) and a weak correlation with PASI (r=0.329, p=0.034) was found. There were no statistically significant differences in PASI between patients with BME and without BME. In patients with IBP who fulfilled the criteria of A. Calin et al., osteitis in the SIJ was present in 19 (34.5%; OR 2.79; 95% CI 1.26–6.19; p=0.01); Berlin criteria of 4 signs – 25 (28.7%; OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.00–5.84; p=0.045); Berlin criteria of 3 signs – in 18 (24.0%; OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.51–2.44; p=0.783); ASAS criteria – in 17 (34.0%; OR 2.48; 95% CI 1.12–5.49; p=0.023). In almost half of the patients with BME in the spine or SIJ, the symptoms did not fulfil the criteria for IBP. Signs such as the presence and duration of morning stiffness had a high prognostic value. Isolated spondylitis (presence of BME in vertebrae and absence of BME in SIJ) was rarely found in patients with IBP fulfilling various criteria (in 4.0–8.1% of cases).Conclusion. Considering the existing discrepancy between symptoms and MRI results, it is necessary to develop independent tools for screening and early diagnosis of axPsA.

Patient Survey Exploring the Burden of Inflammatory Back Pain in Patients With Uveitis.

Background In the UK, diagnostic delays remaina challenge in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Studies have shown that acute anterior uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation associated with axSpA. As part of a National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) Aspiring to Excellence quality improvement project, this study aimed to ascertain the burden of inflammatory back pain (IBP) in patients attending a uveitis clinic and to establish the number of these patients who had not been referred to a rheumatologist, thereby contributing to the diagnostic delay. The secondary aims were to explore the factors contributing to the diagnostic delay. Methods A 22-question patient survey was created to identify the burden of back pain in patients attending a specialist uveitis clinic at a London NHS Trust. Participants were recruited when attending their clinic appointments. Survey content included patient demographics and whether they had experienced back pain for longer than three months. The Berlin Criteria was used to identify the presence of inflammatory back pain, and it was also ascertained whether participants had a previous diagnosis of axSpA. Participants were asked if they had seen any healthcare professionals regarding their back pain and the total number of consultations they had had with each profession. Results A cohort of 50 patients who attended the uveitis clinic at the Royal Free London NHS Trust completed the survey between February and July 2022. The mean age of the respondents was 52 years with a mean length of time with uveitis of 6.57 years. Of them, 64% were female and 36% were male. Forty per cent (40%) of participants (20 respondents) reported experiencing back pain for more than three months and 12% (six respondents) had a diagnosis of axSpA. Of those who reported back pain for more than three months, the mean age of onset of back pain was 28.6 years. Of the 14 participants (28%) who had back pain and were not diagnosed with axSpA, nine (18%) fulfilled the Berlin criteria for IBP. All participants had seen a GP or allied health professional specifically for their back pain. On average, respondents had seen two allied healthcare professionals, but only 40% (eight) of respondents with back pain had been seen by a rheumatologist. Conclusions In this study, thedata highlights that inflammatory back pain is common in patients with uveitis and themajority of patients with inflammatory back pain had not been referred to a rheumatology service and potentially haveundiagnosed axSpA. Contributing factors to this potential delay in diagnosis include a lack of awareness of axSpA and its presenting features and associated conditions and a lack of onward referral for a specialist rheumatology opinion. This highlights the need for public, patient and healthcare professional education and the development of timely referral pathways to reduce delays in diagnosis.

Axial Pain and Arthritis in Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

ObjectiveTo estimate the nationally representative prevalence of chronic axial pain, inflammatory back pain (IBP), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and peripheral arthritis in persons diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients and MethodsUS National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from the 1976-1980 and 2009-2010 survey cycles. ResultsIn NHANES 1976-1980, the chronic axial pain prevalence in participants with diagnosed ulcerative colitis (UC) was 19.5% vs 7.2% in the general population (P<.01). Neck or upper back, lower back, and Amor criteria-based axial pain were also significantly increased (11.2%, 14.5%, and 13.0%, respectively, vs 3%-5% in the general population (P<.01). In those with diagnosed UC, 40% had axial pain onset at an age older than 45 years; 30.2% reported peripheral arthralgias, and 12.2% reported peripheral arthritis. Arthritis findings on examination were uncommon. In NHANES 2009-2010, axial pain in those diagnosed with IBD had similar patterns. ConclusionDespite high rates of chronic axial pain in those with IBD, few cases met the IBP and axSpA classification criteria. This apparent discrepancy is unexplained. However, in IBD, axial pain onset at an age older than 45 years is common; and these may not meet IBP and axSpA age criteria. Also, neck pain was increased in those with IBD but is not included in most IBP and axSpA criteria. Peripheral arthralgias and chronic arthritis symptoms were common, but examination findings were not, suggesting that tenosynovitis or enthesitis is more likely than frank arthritis to occur in patients with UC.

POS1102 THE PREVALENCE OF INFLAMMATORY BACK PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH SKIN PSORIASIS WITHOUT PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS. DATA FROM DERMATOLOGICAL REAL-WORLD SETTING.

BackgroundPsoriasis (PsO) is an inflammatory disease associated with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). PsA affects peripheral and axial joints1,2. Psoriasis can precede the onset of PsA by approximately 3 to 8 years, axial involvement often undiagnosed3. There are limited data about the prevalence of inflammatory back pain (IBP) in PsO patients (pts) without clinical symptoms of PsA4.ObjectivesTo study the prevalence of IBP in PsO pts without PsA symptomsMethods108 PsO pts without PsA over a 10-month period (March 2021 to December 2021) were incluided. Participants filled out a questionnaire on IBP. Additionaly the prevalence of stiffness in the back and neck was estimated. IBP was defined as an affirmative answer to the question ‘Did you suffer from low back pain for ≥3 months?’ and IBP criteria was based on criteria ASAS (the ASsessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis) and was confirmed if at least 3 out of the following 4 criteria were present: (a) onset before age 40, (b) insidious onset, (c) improvement with exercise, (d) associated with morning stiffnessResultsIt was found that more than 40% of patients complained of pain or stiffness in the back. Stiffness and pain in the neck were observed in every fourth patient on average. Of those patients who complained of pain in the back or neck, 37% noted that they had pain at rest (when they get up in the morning or lie down for a long time), and 21.3% had inflammatory pain at night (when patients are forced to woke up, they needed to do exercises) (Table 1). It was found that the risks of developing spondylitis with neck pain, neck stiffness, back pain, back stiffness were higher in 4,549 times (95% CI [1,720; 12,031]), in 19,444 times (95% CI [6,480; 58,343]) 15 times (95% CI [4.646; 48.427]) and 34.857 times (95% CI [7.583; 160.230]), respectively.ConclusionIBP was found in more than 40% PsO patients. Every fourth PsO patients complained of stiffness and pain in the neck. The presence of these symptoms significantly increased the risk of developing PsA with spondylitis. The presence of IBP should be taken into account for early diagnosis of PsA in the dermatological practice.

P270 ‘Act on Axial SpA': a gold standard time to diagnosis

Abstract Background/Aims A lack of public understanding of the symptoms of axial spondyloathritis (axial SpA) is a significant factor in diagnostic delay. Research commissioned by The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) found that 91% of the UK population had never heard of axial SpA, despite more people living with the condition than MS and Parkinson’s combined. Additionally, 8 in 10 people could not identify the symptoms of axial SpA when prompted. As part of a 5-year programme called ‘Act on Axial SpA’, NASS created the first phase of a campaign to increase public awareness, help people recognise symptoms, and encourage them to visit their GP if concerned. Aims: 1) Ensure people have heard of axial SpA. 2) Help people understand that it’s a condition that affects young people. 3) Ensure people recognise the signs and symptoms of the condition. 4) Get people to visit actonaxialspa.com to use the symptom checker and visit their GP if concerned. Methods 1) Raise awareness about the condition: to make an emotional connection with a cold audience, who are unlikely to have heard of axial SpA (AS) and show them why the campaign is relevant to them. We told stories about people with the condition and their families, so people can see that the condition could affect someone like ‘them’. We ensured our campaign key messages are highly visible in the places, publications and online media people in our target audiences are likely to see every day. 2) Identify a core set of symptoms using a newly developed acronym (SPINE). 3) Direct people to an online symptom checker which combines the ASAS, Berlin and Calin inflammatory back pain criteria. 4) Provide information for the patient and primary care professional on the results of the symptom checker and next steps as per the NICE guidelines 5) Provide information for the patient on preparing for their GP and rheumatologist appointments. Results We report results from June 23 - October 13 2021. 1) Case studies have featured in 11 national media publications with a combined reach of over 101 million. 2) Social media activity has a reach of 440,000. 3) Video content has been viewed 375,000 times. 4) 1,264 people have used the symptom checker. 5) We are reaching new audiences, in particular those aged 18-45 and a larger proportion of women. Conclusion The first phase of the campaign has demonstrated cut through to new audiences. People are interested, engaged and eager to learn more about axial SpA. When people are aware of the condition and its symptoms, they are more likely to act. We are confident that, with time, the ‘Act on Axial SpA’ public awareness campaign will play a huge part in reducing diagnosis times for people with axial SpA. Disclosure L. Marshall: None. D. Webb: None. F. MacAulay: None. K. Gaffney: Consultancies; Novartis, AbbVie, UCB, Lilly, Pfizer. Shareholder/stock ownership; SpA Academy www.spaacademy.org. Honoraria; Novartis, AbbVie, UCB, Lilly, Pfizer. Member of speakers’ bureau; Novartis, UCB, AbbVie, Lilly. Grants/research support; NASS, AbbVie, Pfizer, UCB, Novartis, Lilly, Cellgene, Celltrion, Janssen, Gilead, Biogen. Other; Expenses: Abbvie, Lilly, Roche, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. R. Sengupta: Consultancies; Abbvie, Biogen, Celgene, Chugai, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, UCB. Honoraria; Abbvie, Biogen, Celgene, Chugai, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, UCB. Grants/research support; Abbvie, Celgene, Novartis, UCB. Other; Advisory boards:, Abbvie, Biogen, Chugai, Lilly, Novartis, UCB.

Prevalence of Inflammatory Back Pain in a Low-Income Population.

Inflammatory back pain (IBP) is a major criterion in identifying axial spondyloarthritis. Whether socioeconomic issues impact prevalence of IBP assessed using standardized questionnaires has not been assessed. We determined IBP prevalence and performance of IBP questionnaires in a low-income, low-literacy population. Individuals were interviewed in Fortaleza, Brazil, for the prevalence of IBP using Calin's, Berlin, and ASAS IBP questionnaires; monthly family income (US dollars), literacy (>/≤8 school years [SYs]), and smoking habit (present/absent) were registered. Two hundred nineteen individuals were included (mean age, 38.2 ± 12.9 years), 110 (50.2%) men, 58 (26.4%) White, and 38 (17.3%) smokers. Overall, 152 (69.4%) declared <US $720 (mean local income) earnings, and 64 (29.2%) had ≤8 SYs. Chronic back pain was declared by 134 (61%) with 32 (14.6%), 25 (11.9%), and 63 (28.3%) fulfilling ASAS, Berlin, and Calin's IBP criteria, respectively. Chronic back pain or IBP prevalence was similar regardless of ethnicity, smoking habit, income, or literacy with IBP prevalence higher among women (p = 0.006). This is the first report on IBP prevalence in a low-income, low-literacy population. Chronic back pain was highly prevalent with almost 15% having IBP using ASAS criteria. Inflammatory back pain prevalence looked similar using ASAS and Berlin criteria; values were higher using Calin's criteria. Literacy or income did not influence IBP prevalence in this population, which was higher among women. The higher prevalence of IBP using Calin's criteria in this population should be taken into account as it might impact studies aiming to determine prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis in clinical studies in this scenario.

Characterising axial psoriatic arthritis: correlation between whole spine MRI abnormalities and clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings

ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence of inflammatory and structural lesions using whole spine MRI in patients with psoriatic disease, and to assess their correlation with clinical features and with axial spondyloarthritis...

Early identification of axial spondyloarthritis in a multi-ethnic Asian population

To address the diagnostic delay in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), we have cross-culturally adapted the Hamilton axSpA questionnaire, a self-administered screening questionnaire, in the Singapore population. In this study, we compared the performance of various scoring methods for this questionnaire in detecting axSpA. The questionnaire was self-administered by eligible subjects. Scoring methods included method A, the original questionnaire scoring, and methods B-E, scoring developed based on the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria for inflammatory back pain (IBP) and the referral, classification and both referral and classification of axSpA, respectively. The reference standard was diagnosis by a rheumatologist. Since the ASAS criteria-based scoring methods were mainly based on clinical axSpA features, self-report and rheumatologist-assessment of clinical axSpA features were also compared in subjects with axSpA. Of 1418 subjects (age: 54 ± 14years, female: 73%) recruited, 46 were diagnosed with axSpA by a rheumatologist. Sensitivities of methods A-E were 35%, 61%, 63%, 48% and 83%, respectively. Self-report of clinical axSpA features exceeded rheumatologist-assessment for arthritis (83 vs 26%), good response to NSAIDs (37 vs 30%), enthesitis (35 vs 30%), dactylitis (20 vs 2%) and family history for axSpA (13 vs 4%). The reverse was true for IBP (41 vs 63%) and uveitis (4 vs 15%). A self-administered questionnaire using the ASAS referral and classification criteria-based scoring yielded relatively high sensitivity in detecting axSpA in subjects newly referred to rheumatology clinics. This supports its evaluation as a screening and referral tool in the general population in future studies. Key Points • A self-administered questionnaire could be used as a screening and referral tool. • ASAS referral and classification criteria-based scoring yielded relatively high sensitivity. • Inaccurate perception of clinical axSpA features was observed in axSpA patients.

POS1043 NETAKIMAB REDUCES PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH OR WITHOUT AXIAL DISEASE: SUBANALYSIS OF THE PATERA STUDY

Background:PATERA is an ongoing phase 3 international double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study of netakimab (NTK) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) (NCT03598751). Netakimab (NTK) is an anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody approved for psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, PsA in Russia and Belarus.Objectives:A subanalysis was performed to define the impact of NTK on PsA activity depending on the presence of axial disease: a subset of patients with inflammatory back pain (IBP) according to self-reported ASAS IBP criteria, 2009 (IBP(+) was compared to those without IBP (IBP(-)).Methods:194 eligible adult patients with PsA fulfilling the CASPAR criteria, with inadequate response to csDMARD or one TNFi, were randomly assigned to receive NTK 120mg or placebo at weeks 0,1,2,4,6,8,10,14,18,22. Patients with missing values for categorical variables were considered as non-responders in the analysis. For quantitative variables, missing values were replaced using the multiple imputation method.Results:97 PsA patients (N=54 IBP(+), N=43 IBP(-)) received NTK. Both subpopulations were comparable in gender, age and PsA activity at baseline. The treatment led to a pronounced decline in PsA activity in both subpopulations, significant differences between arms were observed only in DAPSA remission and very low disease activity (VLDA) at week 24 (Figure 1A). Changes from baseline in DAS28-CRP were consistent between IBP(+) and IBP(-) patients with a rapid decline during the first month with further improvement up to week 24 (Figure 1B). A similar trend was observed PsA-specific composite responder index (PSARC) (data not shown). A comparable percentage of IBP(+) and IBP(-) patients achieved PSARC at each timepoint of evaluation with 87% and 86% of responders respectively at week 24.Conclusion:NTK significantly improved PsA activity regardless of the presence of IBP.Figure 1.PsA activity after 24-week treatment with NTK. (A) Percentage of patients with DAPSA remission (0-4), very low disease activity (VLDA), minimal disease activity (MDA) at week 24; (B) change from baseline in DAS28-CRPAcknowledgements:This study was sponsored by JSC BIOCAD.Disclosure of Interests:Tatiana Korotaeva Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biocad, Eli Lilly, Johnson &amp; Johnson, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Inna Gaydukova Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biocad, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, V Mazurov: None declared, Aleksey Samtsov: None declared, Vladislav Khayrutdinov: None declared, Andrey Bakulev: None declared, Alena Kundzer: None declared, Nikolaj Soroka: None declared, Anna Eremeeva Employee of: Biocad.

Performance of Different Criteria Sets for Inflammatory Back Pain in Radiographic and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

Introduction: It is important to recognise inflammatory back pain (IBP) for early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aims of this study were to develop a valid, reliable Bengali IBP tool and to assess the performance of different IBP criteria sets, including Calin, Berlin set 8a and 7b, and new Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) expert criteria, in radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and nonradiographic axSpA. Method: This case-control study was performed in three phases. The first phase involved development of an IBP tool by adding the fifth parameter of ASAS expert criteria to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2010 arthritis questionnaires; the second phase assessed reliability by test-retest statistics among 87 participants at a 5-day interval. Finally, according to the imaging arm of ASAS axSpA classification criteria, 50 patients with axSpA were included as cases while 50 patients with chronic mechanical back pain (MBP) were included as a control. Results: The presence of IBP with SpA versus patients with MBP, detected by Calin criteria, were 76.0% versus 10.0%, by Berlin 8a were 72.0% versus 6.0%, by Berlin 7b were 58.0% versus 12.0%, and by ASAS were 64.0% versus 18.0%, respectively. Results suggested the Calin criteria set has the highest sensitivity (76.0%) and Berlin set 8a has the highest specificity (78.9%) in the differentiation of IBP from MBP. Conclusion: The performance of the new ASAS criteria was analogous to the other existing criteria sets. The highest positive likelihood ratio and odds ratio were found for Berlin set 8a criteria. The Berlin set 8a criteria can still be used in primary care practice at the first screening because of high sensitivity.

Prevalence of inflammatory back pain and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in a semi-urban community of Lahore, Pakistan.

To determine the prevalence of inflammatory back pain (IBP) and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) in a semi-urban community of Lahore, Pakistan. This cross-sectional household survey was designed as per the Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) model. In Phase 1, the subjects were interviewed for musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in the last 7days by clinical assistants. In Phase 2, physiotherapists identified subjects with spinal/back pain and interviewed for Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Working Group (ASAS) criteria for IBP. In Phase 3 subjects having IBP or chronic back pain (CBP) with an age at onset ≤45years, were assessed and further investigated. A total of 4922 subjects with a mean age of 35.3±14.5years, including 2770 (56%) women were surveyed in Phase 1. MSK pain in last 7days was reported by 1407 (28.6%) of whom 1034 (21%) had spinal pain. The ASAS criteria for IBP were met in 329 (6.7%, 95% CI 6.0-7.0). In Phase 3, 222 with IBP and 83 having CBP with age at onset ≤45years were evaluated. Out of this total of 305, 144 (2.9%) were confirmed to have IBP by rheumatologists as per at least 1 of the 3 criteria. ASAS criteria were met in 107 (2.2%, 95% CI 1.8-2.6). ASAS criteria for radiographic axial SpA were met in 47 (1%, 95% CI 0.7-1.3) of the surveyed population. Inflammatory back pain was reported in 6.7% by physiotherapists, confirmed in 3% by rheumatologists. The prevalence of radiographic axial SpA was 1%.

FRI0298 ASAS MODIFICATION OF THE BERLIN ALGORITHM AND THE DUET ALGORITHM FOR DIAGNOSING AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS: RESULTS FROM THE SCREENING IN AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS FOR PSORIASIS, IRITIS, AND COLITIS COHORT

Background:Patients presenting with back pain and psoriasis, iritis, or colitis, represent a high-risk population for the presence of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The Dublin Evaluation Tool (DUET)1, the Berlin algorithm2, and the ASAS modification of this algorithm3are recommended referral strategies aimed at early diagnosis of axSpA. DUET was developed for patients presenting with AAU. Validation of these algorithms in inception cohorts is limited.Objectives:1. To assess the performance of referral algorithms for diagnosis of axSpA when tested against the final local rheumatologist diagnosis in an inception cohort of patients presenting with undiagnosed back pain and extra-articular manifestations. 2. To determine whether different criteria for inflammatory back pain (IBP) impact the performance of the algorithms.Methods:The multicenter Screening for Axial Spondyloarthritis in Psoriasis, Iritis, and Colitis (SASPIC) Study at 11 sites is aimed at early detection of axial SpA in patients presenting with undiagnosed back pain to the rheumatologist. Consecutive patients ≤45 years of age with ≥3 months undiagnosed back pain with any one of psoriasis, acute anterior uveitis (AAU), or colitis diagnosed by the relevant specialist undergo routine clinical evaluation by a rheumatologist for axial SpA. The rheumatologist determines the presence or absence of axial SpA at 3 consecutive stages: 1. After the clinical evaluation; 2. After the results of labs (B27, CRP) and radiography; 3. After the results of MRI evaluation. Final diagnosis by the rheumatologist was used as external standard to test the performance of the algorithms. We tested the following criteria for IBP in the algorithm: ASAS, Berlin, rheumatologist global for likelihood of IBP &gt;5 (0-10 scale), and DUET algorithm in AAU patients.Results:A total of 246 patients were recruited, 73 presented with iritis, 46 with psoriasis, and 127 with colitis, 47.6% were diagnosed with axSpA. The diagnosis of axSpA was established in 45.7%, 61.6%, and 40.2% of patients with psoriasis, AAU, and IBD, respectively. The performance of the ASAS-modification of the Berlin algorithm was superior to the original algorithm as reported previously3, primarily for enhanced sensitivity, and this was observed irrespective of the criteria used to define IBP (Table 1). Conversely, the performance of the Duet algorithm in the subset of patients with AAU was substantially worse than previously reported1.Conclusion:The ASAS modification of the Berlin algorithm is the preferred referral strategy for patients presenting with undiagnosed back pain to the rheumatologist.

AB0697 PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT CRITERIA SETS FOR INFLAMMATORY BACK PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Background:Inflammatory back pain (IBP) is the most prominent clinical feature for an early diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis. The performance of the criteria sets for IBP has not yet been assessed in clinical practice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Objectives:To assess and to compare the performance of different IBP criteria sets in axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) outpatients attending the rheumatology unit of the University Hospital of Kinshasa, DRC.Methods:One hundred and eight Congolese outpatients with axial SpA defined by rheumatologist’s clinical judgment were included in the spondyloarthritis cohort of the University Hospital of Kinshasa from March 1st2015 to February 28, 2017. Calin criteria, Berlin criteria and ASAS criteria sets for IBP were performed to assess their performance against clinical judgment. Detailed history, clinical examination and imaging of sacroiliac joints by plain radiography were obtained. Sacroiliac joint radiographic lesions were scored with the modified New York criteria. Magnetic resonance imaging and HLA B27 were not performed. Fifty additional patients with a diagnosis of chronic (&gt;3 months) mechanical low back pain (MLBP) were included as control group. The performance of each item and different criterias was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio (LR). Baseline characteristics of the mechanical and inflammatory back pain cohorts were compared with chi-square or Student t tests as appropriate.Results:The mean age was 43.8±15.1 years in SpA patients versus 62.4±9.1 years in controls (MLBP patients) with respective sex ratio (M/F) of 1/0.8 and 1/2.1. There were significantly more male patients in the ankylosing spondylitis (AS) group than in the non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis group (p&lt;0.01). Among the criteria sets, Calin criteria showed the best sensitivity (92.6%) while the Berlin criteria showed the best specificity (97.6%) in the detection of IBP patients. The new ASAS criteria for IBP compared to the two previous criteria sets did not show good sensitivity nor specificity (sensivity 80%, specificity 62%, LR+ 1.05 (0.90 – 1.22), LR- 0.52 (0.39 – 0.69), 95%CI).Conclusion:The Calin criteria set would be useful for epidemiological and clinical studies in DRC. The ASAS criteria set for IBP is not better than other criteria sets in the screening of IBP for Congolese patients with axSpA.

P271 An analysis of short-term repeat MRI scans of vertebral corner lesions in suspected early axSpA: defining the prevalence and evolution of clinically significant spinal lesions without concurrent SIJ changes on imaging

Abstract Background MRI offers an enhanced opportunity to detect early spinal changes of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), by identifying characteristic inflammatory and structural lesions, so called Romanus lesions. These include bone marrow oedema lesions on the vertebral corners and fatty replacement of these lesions, both highly suggestive features of axSpA. Current evidence suggests that treatment of these lesions requires early biologic therapy, hence early identification is imperative. We evaluate the prevalence and variation of vertebral corner lesions on short-term repeat MRI scans in patients with suspected early axSpA. Methods 109 MRI scans were performed at baseline and at 4, 8 and 12-weeks on 30 patients with suspected axial spondyloarthritis, who fulfilled the ASAS inflammatory back pain criteria, and had normal sacroiliac joints (SIJs) on antero-posterior pelvis radiographs. The protocol included sagittal T1 and short-tau inversion recovery of the cervico-thoracic spine and thoracolumbar spine. Results 29 patients completed the study (66% were male, 72% HLA-B2-positive). All patients had ≥1 clinical spondyloarthritis (SpA) feature and 86% had ≥2. 13 patients used NSAIDs regularly over the 12-week study period. Overall, 40 corner lesions were present in participants at baseline scanning. 67 new vertebral corner lesion changes occurred at different time points over the follow-up period compared to baseline. 43 changes were new or worsening lesions, while 24 changes were an improvement or resolution of a lesion. 48.6% (14/29) of patients had a minimum of 1 corner lesion present at baseline. 78.5% (11/14) of patients with baseline corner lesions experienced either a decrease/improvement or increase/progression of spinal corner lesions. 20.7% (6/29) of patients demonstrated transient corner lesions at baseline or follow-up with resolution by the 12-week scan (likely artefact). 5/29 patients met spinal imaging criteria suggestive of AS (3 at baseline, 1 only transiently at 1 month, and 1 which persisted from interval scanning). At 12-weeks, 13.8% of patients had at least 3 concomitant baseline or de-novo vertebral corner lesions present (minimum number needed for diagnostic significance). 75% of these patients did not have evidence of concomitant SIJ changes (10.3% of all patients). HLA-B27 status, gender, NSAID use, and number of SpA features were not associated with corner lesion development or improvement. Conclusion Approximately half of all patients who meet ASAS criteria for inflammatory back pain, but do not meet ASAS criteria for axSpA, demonstrated at least 1 vertebral corner lesion on MRI scan at baseline, which may represent artefact or a prelude to future disease progression. 13.8% of patients had at least 3 concomitant baseline or de-novo vertebral corner lesions present on MRI at the conclusion of 12-weeks of follow-up. In cases of suspected axSpA with negative SIJ MRI imaging, 10.3% of patients had significant spinal evidence of axSpA on MRI, highlighting the importance of spinal imaging and monitoring as part of the diagnostic work-up for axSpA. Disclosures S. Chatterjee None. H. Marzo-Ortega None. D. McGonagle None. A. Bennett None. R. Sengupta None.

Back pain and functional status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis during pregnancy

Inflammatory rhythm back pain and enthesitis are one of the main clinical manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), which increase in severity during pregnancy. However, addition of back pain and, possibly, enthesis in the second half of gestation, which is associated with normal pregnancy, needs to make a differential diagnosis for clarifying the genesis of pain and choosing the right management tactics, which determines the relevance of this study.Objective: to investigate the course of pain in the back, enthesis, and inguinal region, as well as the functional status in AS patients during pregnancy and to reveal clinical signs that most accurately reflect inflammatory activity during gestation.Patients and methods. A study included 36 pregnant women with a reliable diagnosis of AS according to the modified New York criteria (1984). Their mean age was 31.6±4.8 years, the mean age at the onset of AS was 21.8±10.9 years; the duration of the disease was 134.9±89.3 months. A control group comprised 30 healthy pregnant women with no history of back pain and arthritis; their mean age was 28.2±4.5 years. The pregnant women of both groups were matched for parity. They made visits at 10–11, 20–21, and 31–32 weeks of pregnancy. Pain intensity was estimated using the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and the functional status was assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI). The Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES) was used to assess enthesitis.Results and discussion. During pregnancy, 94% of AS patients had back pain; its intensity by trimesters was 3 [2; 4], 4 [3; 5.5], 3 [2; 7] and was higher than in healthy pregnant women (p&lt;0.0001). In the study group, there was a rise in pain intensity at night with increasing gestational age (n=23–28): 2 [1; 4] in the first trimester; 3 [0; 5] II in the second trimester; 3 [1; 6] in the third trimester (p&lt; when comparing the first, second, and third trimesters) and an increase in the duration of morning stiffness (n= ): 10 [5; 20], 15 [10; 55], and 15 [5; 60] min, respectively. Moreover, the number of women who reported improvements after exercise (85–63%) and no improvement at rest (88–56%) declined (p&lt;0.05 when comparing the first, second, and third trimesters).In the control group, 1 and 3 patients had morning back stiffness and night pain, respectively. The healthy pregnant women more frequently reported a reduction in back pain after exercise in the third trimester (66.7% of those with pain) than in the first trimester (20% of those with pain) (p&lt;0.05).By the third trimester, the patients with AS showed a change in the nature of back pain: 43.7% of the patients reported an improvement at rest; 42.4% noted an increase in pain after exercise, while the frequency of elements of mechanical back pain was less than that in the control group (p &lt; 0.05).The intensity of groin pain (2.4±1.9, 3.3±2.4, and 4.3±3.0 in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively) did not differ in AS patients with and without coxitis or pelvic enthesitis. The frequency of enthesitis and MASES scores in the study group were higher than in the control group (p&lt;0.05), the MASES scores increased with gestational age, amounting to 0 [0; 1] in the first trimester and 2 [0; 3] in the third trimester (p&lt;0.05).Functional disorders during pregnancy increased in both groups; there was a difference in BASFI scores between the groups only in the third trimester: 3.5±2.8 and 1.7±1.2, respectively (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion. Back pain and functional disorders increase in AS patients during gestation. Night back pain, morning stiffness, and enthesitis reflect the inflammatory activity of AS during pregnancy. Mechanical back pain joins in 40% of women with AS in the third trimester. The criteria for inflammatory back pain and BASFI require adaptation when used in pregnant women.

Detectability of the peripheral and axial manifestations of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis in dermatological practice

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous disease manifested by peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, spondylitis, and enthesitis. PsA is often undiagnosed by dermatovenerologists because of the difficulty in identifying a variety of clinical signs. The early diagnosis of PsA and the accurate assessment of all its symptoms are necessary for the timely choice of optimal therapy.Objective: to assess the detectability of clinical signs of PsA in patients with psoriasis in dermatological practice.Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 103 patients (47 men and 56 women) (mean age, 44.0±13.7 years) with psoriasis (its mean duration, 10.7±10.2 years), the average prevalence and severity according to the Body Surface Area (BSA) and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) were 9.3±13.6% and 15.4±12.5 scores, respectively. All the patients completed the Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (mPEST) and were examined by a dermatovenerologist and a rheumatologist. The diagnosis of PsA was based on the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR). The investigators evaluated arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis, and inflammatory back pain (IBP) according to the rheumatological standards: IBP by the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria, and enthesitis by the Leeds Enthesitis Index (LEI).Results and discussion. Sixty-one (59.2%) of the 103 patients with psoriasis were found to have PsA on the basis of the CASPAR criteria and the rheumatologist's examination. The dermatovenerologist diagnosed arthritis in a significantly smaller number of cases than did the rheumatologist: in 15 (24.6%) and 35 (57.4%) of the 61 patients (p&lt;0.001), respectively. The dermatovenerologist and the rheumatologist demonstrated no significant differences in their clinical evaluation of dactylitis: it was detected in 37 (60.7%) and 40 (65.6%) of the 61 patients, respectively (p=0.32). Based on patient complaints and mPEST findings, the dermatovenerologist recorded pain in the calcaneal region in 32 (52.5%) patients. The rheumatologist identified ulnar, knee, and calcaneus enthesitis in 11 (18%), 8 (13.1%), and 25 (41%) patients, respectively. Based on complaints and mPEST findings, the dermatovenerologist detected back pain in 30 (49.2%) of the 61 patients. The rheumatologist diagnosed IBP in 21 (70%) of these 30 patients and mechanical back pain in 9 (30%). Thus, IBP was noted in 34.4% of PsA patients. Tendonitis was undiagnosed by the dermatovenerologist; the rheumatologist identified wrist tendonitis in 13 (21.3%) of the 61 patients with PsA.Conclusion. Dermatovenerologists frequently underestimate damage to the spine and entheses in patients with psoriasis. The introduction of the ASAS criteria for IBP and methods for assessing enthesitis in dermatological practice can improve the early diagnosis of axial lesion in PsA in patients with psoriasis.

ASAS criteria for inflammatory back pain: diagnostic significance in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Damage of peripheral joints and spine is a frequent manifestation of spondyloarthritis associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). One of the most frequent and typical manifestations of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is inflammatory back pain (IBP), which is determined according to the IBP criteria of the International society for the study of spondyloarthritis (The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society – ASAS) 2009. The diagnosis of axSpA is based on the identification of combination of typical changes in the sacroiliac joints (presence of sacroiliitis according to MRI or radiography) with a characteristic clinical picture. However, the diagnostic significance of these criteria and the possibility of use in patients with IBD and chronic back pain have not been studied.Subjects and methods. The study included 84 patients with IBD and back pain. The mean age of patients was 40.5±11.9 years, the duration of IBD symptoms – 8.11±7.67 years.Results and discussion. In our study, the sensitivity of the ASAS criteria for IBD was 76.9% and specificity – 67.2%, positive predictive value was 0.51, a negative predictive value – 0.87. The likelihood ratio of a positive result is 2.3, the likelihood ratio of a negative result is 0.3.Conclusion. The main diagnostic characteristics of ASAS IBD criteria (2009) for patients with IBD were comparable with those in the population of patients with chronic back pain (sensitivity – 79.6% and specificity – 72.4%).

REASONS FOR DIAGNOSTIC DELAYS OF AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Introduction: The probability of development of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is estimated to be above 90% among patients with chronic back pain, presence of HLA B27 antigen and positive family history of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriasis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or uveitis. The nonradiographic axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis diseases' activity has a comparable impact on the patients' quality of life and from the practical point of view the approach to treatment of each of them is the same. The aim: The attempt to identify the reasons of diagnostic delays of AS among patients hospitalized in the Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases Department in Lublin and to suggest the ways of improving the accuracy of diagnostic track among other healthcare providers than rheumatologists. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the records of 82 patients' with the established diagnosis of AS, hospitalized in the Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases Department in Lublin in 2000-2019, and of 45 years of age and older. Results: From among 82 patients (28 women and 54 men) the diagnosis of AS after 45 years of age was established in 25 patients (10 women and 15 men) - group t, and in the other 57 patients (group n) the diagnosis was established before 45 years of age. On average the age at the time of diagnosis in the whole group (t+n) was 40,7±10,2 (18-76) years, the age at the beginning of inflammatory back pain (age of axial symptoms) was 30,9±8,5 (13-51) years and the diagnostic delay (period between first axial symptoms and diagnosis establishment) was 9,75±9,5 (0-46) years. We did not find any statistically significant associations between sex and age at the moment of diagnosis, age of the beginning of axial symptoms and the time of diagnostic delay. There was no significant difference of incidence of enthesitis, uveitis, arthritis, prevalence of family history of spondyloarthritis and CRP level between group t and n. Antigen HLA B27 was more frequently present in group t. Conclusions: Instead of the recognition progress and worldwide popularization of knowledge about axSpA, the diagnostic delays in this field are still estimated to last many years, the patients are looking for other specialists' help, and they can be not knowledgeable of the inflammatory back pain criteria. Currently, HLA B27 antigen and C-reactive protein are the two most commonly used biomarkers for diagnostic and disease activity monitoring purposes of axSpA and magnetic resonance is the only "imaging biomarker". The presence of extra-axial symptoms does not improve the diagnostic sensitivity.

Diagnostic accuracy of inflammatory back pain for axial spondyloarthritis in rheumatological care

ObjectiveInflammatory back pain (IBP), the key symptom of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), including ankylosing spondylitis, has been proposed as a screening test for patients presenting with chronic back pain in primary...