A BENCHMARKING STUDY EVALUATING THE BURDEN OF AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS IN SPAIN COMPARED WITH THE REST OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. RESULTS OF THE SPANISH ATLAS AND EMAS STUDIES.

Background: Benchmarking studies in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) may provide evidence of disparities, making it necessary to improve the healthcare and management of these patients. Objectives: To evaluate differences between Spain and the rest of Europe (RoE) in relation to sociodemographic characteristics, life habits, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in axSpA patients. Methods: Data from 2,846 unselected patients from the European Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (EMAS) were collected through an online survey, with a comparative analysis of 680 Spanish patients (2016) and 2,166 patients living in 12 other European countries (2017-2018). Socio-demographic characteristics, life habits, and PROs [BASDAI (0-10), spinal stiffness (3-12), and psychological distress (0-12, General Health Questionnaire GHQ-12)] were compared. The Χ2 test was used for qualitative variables and the Mann-Whitney test applied for quantitative variables. Results: Data from 680 (23.9%) Spanish patients were compared to 2,166 (76.1%) patients from the RoE. Compared to Spain, the RoE patients reported a higher percentage of females (64.1% vs 52.5%; p Conclusion: In this study, significant differences between Spanish and RoE patients were observed for the burden of the disease in patients with axSpA. Patients in Spain experience a greater diagnostic delay and greater psychological distress. Acknowledgments: Funded by Novartis Farmaceutica S.A. Disclosure of Interests: Marco Garrido-Cumbrera: None declared, Eduardo Collantes-Estevez Grant/research support from: ROCHE and Pfizer., Speakers bureau: ROCHE, Lilly, Bristol and Celgene., Victoria Navarro-Compan Consultant of: Abbvie, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, MSD, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Pedro Zarco Montejo Grant/research support from: Pfizzer, MSD, ABBVIE, Janssen, Amgen, BMS, Novartis, Lilly, Speakers bureau: Pfizzer, MSD, ABBVIE, Janssen, Amgen, BMS, Novartis, Lilly, Carlos Sastre Employee of: YES; I´m Medical Advisor in Novartis Spain, Sergio Sanz-Gomez: None declared, Pedro Plazuelo-Ramos: None declared, Jordi Gratacos-Masmitja Grant/research support from: a grant from Pfizzer to study implementation of multidisciplinary units to manage PSA in SPAIN, Consultant of: Pfizzer, MSD, ABBVIE, Janssen, Amgen, BMS, Novartis, Lilly, Speakers bureau: Pfizzer, MSD, ABBVIE, Janssen, Amgen, BMS, Novartis, Lilly