Page 134 - Recognizing axial spondyloarthritis - Janneke de Winter

CHAPTER EIGHT
ABSTRACT
Objective
To study the willingness of first-degree relatives of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients to use preventive medication.
Methods
Participants of the Pre-SpA cohort (n=106) completed a survey including hypothetical scenarios varying in disease risk, side effects and treatment effect.
Results
The willingness to use preventive medication was 63.2-91.5% (with 30-70% SpA risk, respectively), and declined to 27.4-51.9% respectively, when side effects might occur. On a visual analogue scale (VAS) 0-100 (median;range) participants were not occupied by the thought of developing SpA (23;13-39), did not assume that they will eventually develop SpA (22;14-35) and consider SpA a severe disease (66;52-78). The willingness to use preventive medication was negatively influenced by their own risk assessment of developing SpA (OR=1.17, p=.001) and was not primarily influenced by costs and route of administration.
Conclusion
First-degree relatives of axSpA patients with a clearly increased disease risk (70%) would largely consider using preventive medication. Their willingness roughly halved by the possible occurrence of side effects. Participants’ perceived risk to develop SpA and their assessment of the severity of SpA negatively influenced the willingness to use preventive medication.
Key messages
• In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis, in spondyloarthritis no studies have been done to explore the willingness of individuals at increased risk to start preventive medication.
• First-degree relatives of axSpA patients would largely consider preventive medication with an acceptable safety profile.
• The perceived risk of SpA negatively influences the willingness to take preventive medication.
• Costs and route of administration do not primarily influence the decision to start using preventive medication.
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