Regional Differences in Diagnosis Journey and Healthcare Utilization: Results from the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS).
Marco Garrido-CumbreraDenis PoddubnyyFernando SommerfleckChristine BundySouzi MakriJosé Correa-FernándezShashank AkerkarJo LoweElie G KaramVictoria Navarro-CompánPublished in: Rheumatology and therapy (2024)
The diagnosis of axSpA usually takes more than two visits to HCPs and at least 7 years. After diagnosis, axSpA is associated with frequent healthcare resource use. Younger age, female gender, higher disease activity, poorer mental health, greater functional limitation, greater spinal stiffness, and longer diagnostic delay are associated with higher healthcare utilization. Europe and North America use more HCP visits and diagnostic tests before and after diagnosis than the other regions.