Ab1429 Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases Treated With Glucocorticoids: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) play a pivotal role in the management of inflammatory rheumatic conditions but they can adversely impact on patients in different ways. Conversely, there are certain patient characteristics that may be correlated with a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with HRQoL in patients undertaking GCs for a rheumatic disease. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using online survey methods. Participants taking GCs for a rheumatic disease from Australia/New Zealand (AU/NZ), United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) were included. HRQoL was measured using the generic EuroQoL (EQ-5D-5L) converted into a linear EQ5D index value. Eight explanatory factors (age, sex, country, educational level, employment status, disease group, self-reported disease state, and dose of GCs) were tested for potential association with HRQoL using univariable and multivariable (hierarchical) analyses. Factors found to have a significant association with EQ5D index at a pResults: A total of 945 patients completed the EQ-5D-5L with no missing values: UK n=742 (79%), USA n=139 (15%), AU/NZ n=64 (7%); mean age was 57.6 (SD=13.6); 833 (88%) were women. Participants with self-reported active disease were 726 (77%). Those with inflammatory arthritis were 197 (21%), connective tissue disease and/or vasculitis were 402 (43%), giant cell arteritis and/or polymyalgia rheumatica were 346 (36%). Mean (SD) EQ5D index was 0.64 (0.25); There were significant differences between groups in age (median split, t=-3.77, ppppppppppppConclusion: We identified 5 factors which were independently associated with worse HRQoL in patients being treated with GCs. Over 80% of the variance was not explained by our model likely due to use of a generic HRQoL measure (EQ-5D-5L) as outcome, and the small number of explanatory factors tested within this survey. Further research is required to identify potential targets to support interventions. REFERENCES: NIL. Acknowledgements: NIL. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.