Canadian Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis Require Almost a Decade To Be Diagnosed Leading to Severe Functional Limitation. Results From the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS).

Objective: To evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics and disease-related factors associated with diagnostic delay in Canadian patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods: Data from 542 Canadian patients who participated in the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis online survey were analysed. Diagnostic delay was calculated as the difference between age at diagnosis and age at onset of the first symptoms reported by participants. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate possible factors associated with diagnostic delay.

Results: The mean age (± SD) of the surveyed participants was 44.3 ± 13.9 years and 63.1% were female. The average diagnostic delay was 9.0 ± 10.5 years (median, 5.0 years; interquartile range, 1.0-13.8). In the multivariate regression analysis, the three variables most strongly associated with longer diagnostic delay were use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (B = 2.991; 95% CI = 1.075-4.909), medium or high functional limitation (B = 1.541; 95%CI = 0.186-2.896), and number of HCPs seen before diagnosis (B = 1.524, 95%CI = 1.072-1.977).

Conclusion: Diagnostic delay continues to be a barrier to optimal care for Canadian axSpA patients. Significant diagnostic delay, associated with a high number of HCP visits prior to diagnosis, high use of NSAIDs, and marked functional limitation in daily life, illustrate the convoluted axSpA patient journey.