AB0852 Gender differences in axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis: results from the esperanza cohort

Background In patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), published data indicate different manifestations and outcomes between genders. Nevertheless, the evidence in patients with early and peripheral disease is lacking. Objectives To evaluate differences in the presentation of the disease between genders in patients with early axial and peripheral SpA (axSpA, pSpA). Methods This study was carried out within the framework of the ESPeranza program, which was a Spanish multicenter initiative aiming to facilitate early diagnosis and follow-up of patients with SpA between 2008–11. Out of 775 patients referred, 377 patients fulfilled the ASAS classification criteria for SpA:291(77%) axSpA and 86 (23%) pSpA. Demographic and disease characteristics were compared between genders using Chi-square (for categorical variables) and Student t (for continuous variables) tests. Results In total, 241 (64%) patients were males (191 axSpA and 50 pSpA). In the axSpA group, males had more frequently radiographic sacroiliac damage, elevated CRP, HLA-B27 positive and morning stiffness, while females had higher values of ESR and more frequency of peripheral arthritis (table 1). Within the pSpA group, male gender was significantly associated with higher diagnostic delay, psoriasis and elevated CRP while women had higher rates of functional limitation and ESR values. Conclusions In patients with SpA, different disease manifestations between genders are observed already from the first stages of the disease. In patients with axSpA, males have worst prognostic factors compared with females. However, in pSpA, females report poorer functionality despite being diagnosed earlier than male patients. This difference in phenotypes may be relevant when therapeutic decision-making. Acknowledgements Project ESPeranza was funded by Pfizer through the Spanish Foundation of Rheumatology (FER), is currently supported by a restricted grant from the of Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS PI13/02034) and Fondos FEDER. Disclosure of Interest None declared