Spondyloarthritis is associated with poor function and physical health-related quality of life.

objectiveTo study physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in US veterans with spondyloarthritis (SpA).

methodsIn a postal survey of 70,334 eligible veterans, demographics, performance of activities of daily living (ADL), and HRQOL, by Veterans Short Form-36, were queried; 58% responded (n = 40,508). Databases provided International Classification of Diseases, 9th ed. codes for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic (PsA) and reactive arthritis (ReA), comorbidities, and demographics. Multivariable linear/logistic regressions compared ADL limitations and HRQOL in SpA versus non-SpA, and predictors in SpA.

resultsSix hundred sixty-four veteran respondents had diagnoses of SpA: AS, n = 100; PsA, n = 551; ReA, n = 13. Veterans with AS, PsA, and ReA had significantly more limitations in dressing (44%, 23%, 24% vs 22%; p = 0.0002), transferring (57%, 42%, 64% vs 39%; p = 0.0006), walking (74%, 57%, 67% vs 54%; p = 0.0005), and overall mean ADL limitations (2.5, 1.7, 2.1 vs 1.6; p < 0.0001) compared to veterans without SpA, after multivariable adjustment. Limitations in each ADL in patients with SpA were 1.3-5.3 times that of an age-matched US cohort. Physical HRQOL was significantly lower compared with non-SpA veterans (p < 0.0001 for physical component summary, physical functioning, role physical, and bodily pain; p = 0.004 for general health) and age-sex-matched US norms; all differences exceeded clinically meaningful threshold of 5-10 units. More limitations in ADL were significantly associated with lower physical component summary scores in patients with AS and with lower physical and mental component summary scores in PsA.

conclusionAfter adjustment for differences in demographics and comorbidities, poorer physical function and HRQOL were observed in patients with SpA. Strategies focused to improve/maintain functional status are important for treatment of SpA.