ArticleRheumatology and therapy2025
Patient Diagnostic Journey and Time to Diagnosis in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using US Claims Data.
Article in Rheumatology and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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5 authors.
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Abstract
introductionThe journey to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) diagnosis is often prolonged, and delayed diagnosis has been associated with poorer outcomes and increased healthcare costs. This study aimed to characterize the patient diagnostic journey in axSpA and associated healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs in the US.
methodsThis observational, retrospective US MarketScan
resultsOf 97,469 patients included, 29.0% experienced time to diagnosis of ≥ 6 years, with a mean (standard deviation) of 4.5 (2.8) years to diagnosis. Prior to axSpA diagnosis, patients saw an average of 4.57 HCPs annually and had 20.7 back pain-related visits overall for back pain-related causes. Between the earliest back pain diagnosis and axSpA diagnosis, 55.9% of patients experienced > 10 back pain consultations, and patients underwent a range of diagnostic tests and imaging procedures. The median sum of non-capitated back pain-related costs up to axSpA diagnosis was $883.19 per patient per year, plus $1127.57 per patient per year for pharmacy prescriptions.
conclusionsThis study shows that diagnostic delay is a challenge for patients with axSpA in the US, despite numerous back pain consultations, specialist visits, and diagnostic tests. These findings highlight the urgent need for strategies to enhance recognition of axSpA and improve the patient diagnostic journey.
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