Atlas of axial spondyloarthritis in Spain 2017: Study design and population

Objective: Atlas of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Spain 2017 aims to better understand the reality of the patients suffering from this disease from an integrated approach. Methods: The Atlas 2017 based its results on an extensive cross-sectional patient survey conducted in Spain (2016), validated by a multidisciplinary group of experts on spondyloarthritis. Results: Data from 680 patients with axSpA were obtained, most of them suffered from AS, were HLA-B27 positive, older than 45 years, and live as part of a couple. A large percentage had university studies, were disabled and members of a patient association. Patients reported a diagnostic delay of 8.5 years, high disease activity (BASDAI 5.5 ± 2.2), moderate-important stiffness (61.0%), medium-high functional limitation (74.9%), and psychological distress (GHQ 5.7 ± 4.5). A total of 54.7% reported taking NSAIDs, 28.4% DMARDs, 36.3% biological therapy and 32.2% were not receiving pharmacological treatment. Conclusions: The Atlas survey data reveals still a long diagnostic delay, high disease activity, psychological distress, while an important proportion could be undertreated.