Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Commencing Biologic Therapy Have High Baseline Levels of Comorbidity: A Report from the Australian Rheumatology Association Database
Table 1
Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of AS patients enrolled in ARAD who have been exposed to biological therapy (n = 354)*.
Mean (SD) age, years
45.1 (12.3)
Males (%)
254 (71.8)
Mean (SD) disease duration, years ()
18.5 (12.1)
Mean (SD) delay in diagnosis, years ()
5.5 (7.1)
Concomitant DMARDs, (%)
72 (20.3)
Methotrexate (oral or IM)
50 (14.1)
Salazopyrin
22 (6.2)
Leflunomide
5 (1.4)
Currently taking prednisolone, (%)
42 (11.9)
Smoking history, (%)
Current
61 (17.2)
Past
98 (27.7)
Never
195 (55.1)
Alcohol consumption, (%)
Daily
62 (17.5)
Sometimes
217 (61.2)
Never
75 (21.2)
Mean (SD) ESR, mm/hr ()
35.4 (24.8)
Mean (SD) CRP, mg/L ()
31.8 (31.9)
BASDAI (0–10, 0 = best) ()
7.6 (4.5)
Mean (SD) S-HAQ score (0–3, 0 no = disability)**
0.86 (0.60)
Mean (SD) AQoL score (0-1, 1 = full health)**
0.55 (0.25)
SF-36 score**
Physical component
36.2 (10.6)
Mental component
45.1 (11.1)
*unless otherwise indicated ** in those prior to or within 6 months of commencing bDMARDS
