AB0907 CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH SPONDYLOARTHRITIS WHO STARTED bDMARDs IN THE EARLY PERIOD (≤2 YEARS) - HURBIO REAL-WORLD DATA

Background: The concept of a 'window of opportunity' is well accepted in rheumatoid arthritis. Whether a similar approach applies to spondyloarthritis (SpA) remains uncertain. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of SpA patients started on biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) within two years of symptom onset and compare them with patients started on bDMARDs later. Methods: Hacettepe University Rheumatology Biologic Registry (HUR-BIO) is a prospective, single center registry of rheumatic disease patients treated with bDMARDs. A total of 3161 SpA patients enrolled in the database were included in the study. Patient demographic characteristics, date of disease onset and diagnosis, HLA-B27 results and radiographic findings, if present, extra-articular lesions, synthetic DMARDs used before bDMARDs, bDMARD initiation date, number of tender/swollen joints at bDMARD initiation and at the last visit, ESR, CRP, and BASDAI, BASFI, VAS, and HAQ scores were recorded. Results: It was found that 665 of the 3161 SpA patients (51.3% male) included in the study were started on a bDMARD within a median of 11 months (6-18 months) after the onset of symptoms. Patients who started bDMARDs in the early period had an older age at symptom onset (32 years (25-41) vs. 27 years (21-35), pConclusion: This study showed no significant difference in medication adherence and disease activity in patients who started treatment earlier. However, this group had a lower rate of functional decline and a lower incidence of uveitis. Treatment decisions should be based not only on disease activity control but also on preserving the patient's functional ability. REFERENCES: NIL. Acknowledgements: NIL. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.