Gender differences in clinical features and quality of life of patients with axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis

Objective: The aim of the current study was to compare the clinical and treatment characteristics and dimensions of health-related quality of life between female and male patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods: The present study is cross-sectional and comprises 119 patients with axial SpA and 198 patients with PsA. Clinical data were collected by standardized and self-reported instruments. Disease activity was evaluated by the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein and the Disease Activity in PSoriatic Arthritis (for SpA and PsA, respectively). Health-related quality of life was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Survey. Patients were stratified by gender, and the socio-demographic, clinical, and quality-of-life data were compared. Results: Women with axial SpA and PsA had significantly lower education (p<0.001, p=0.004, respectively) and higher disease activity (p<0.001, p=0.003, respectively). Female patients with axial SpA were more frequently under second-line therapy (p=0.026) and glucocorticoid treatment (p=0.005), while women with PsA had more radiographic progression (p=0.006). Female patients with axial SpA and PsA had worse scores in the dimensions of quality of life regarding physical role, bodily pain, vitality, and mental health. Women with axial SpA had lower scores in general health, while women with PsA had lower scores in physical and social functioning. Conclusions: Women with axial SpA and PsA had worse scores than men in most clinical and treatment characteristics and health-related quality of life dimensions.