Employment, Work Productivity, and Biologic Treatments in Self-Reported Axial Spondyloarthritis: a Cross-Sectional Study in a Female Predominant Population from the ArthritisPower Registry

Introduction The aim of this study was to characterize employment, work productivity, and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD) treatment in a predominantly female population of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients in a real-world setting. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of axSpA participants within the ArthritisPower registry. Outcomes were assessed with surveys (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment [WPAI], Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI], and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments) and compared between subgroups (employed vs. not employed; taking vs. not taking a bDMARD). Results Among the 195 participants, 117 (60.0%) were employed and 78 (40.0%) were not employed entirely or partially due to axSpA. The mean age of the participants was 47.6 years and 86.7% were female. Current bDMARD use was reported by 57.4% of those surveyed (59.8% employed vs. 53.9% not employed; p = 0.408). Compared to not employed participants, employed participants had more favorable disease activity (BASDAI 6.0 vs. 7.6; p