Effectiveness of longstanding exercise therapy compared with usual care for people with rheumatoid arthritis and severe functional limitations: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of longstanding (>52 weeks), supervised exercise therapy with usual care in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and severe functional limitations. METHODS: Participants were randomised 1:1 to the intervention (individualised goal-setting, active exercises, education and self-management regarding physical activity) or usual care. Primary endpoint was the change in the Patient-Specific Complaints activity ranked 1 (PSC1, 0-10) at 52 weeks. Secondary endpoints included the PSC activities ranked 2 and 3 (PSC2, PSC3), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RAQoL), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function-10 (PROMIS PF-10) and the Short Form-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary Scales (SF-36 PCS and MCS). (Serious) Adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Measurements were done by blinded assessors. Analyses at 52 weeks were based on the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: In total, 217 people (90% female, age 58.8 (SD 12.9) years) were randomised (n=104 intervention, n=98 usual care available for analyses). At 52 weeks, the improvement of the PSC1 was significantly larger in the intervention group (mean difference (95% CI) -1.7 (-2.4, -1.0)). Except for the SF-36 MCS, all secondary outcomes showed significantly greater improvements favouring the intervention (PSC2 -1.8 (-2.4, -1.1), PSC3 -1.7 (-2.4, -1.0), PROMIS PF-10 +3.09 (1.80, 4.38), HAQ-DI -0.17 (-0.29, -0.06), RAQoL -2.03 (-3.39, -0.69), SF-36 PCS +3.83 (1.49, 6.17) and 6MWT +56 (38, 75) m). One mild, transient AE occurred in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Longstanding, supervised exercise therapy was more effective than usual care in people with RA and severe functional limitations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Netherlands Trial Register (NL8235), included in the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL8235).

One-year effectiveness of long-term exercise therapy in people with axial spondyloarthritis and severe functional limitations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of long-term, personalized, supervised exercise therapy on functional ability compared with usual care in people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and severe functional limitations. METHODS: Participants were randomly 1:1 assigned to the intervention(maximal 64 sessions, with 14 additional optional sessions of supervised active exercise therapy(e.g. aerobic and muscle strengthening) with individualized goal-setting, education and self-management regarding physical activity) or usual care(care determined by clinician(s) and participants themselves). Primary end point was the change in the Patient-Specific Complaints activity ranked 1 (PSC1 (0-10)) at 52 weeks. Secondary endpoints were the PSC activities ranked 2 and 3, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, 6-min walk test, Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-Physical Function-10 and the Short Form-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary Score (SF-36 PCS and MCS). Statistical comparisons comprised independent student t-tests and linear mixed models, based on intention-to-treat. RESULTS: 214 participants(49% female, age 52 (SD 12) years), were randomized to the intervention (n = 110) or usual care (N = 104) group. In the intervention group 93% started treatment, using on average 40.5 sessions (SD 15.1). At 52 weeks, the difference in change in PSC1 between groups favored the intervention group (mean difference [95% CI]; -1.8 [-2.4 to -1.2]). additionally, all secondary outcomes, except the SF-36 MSC, showed significantly greater improvements in the intervention group with effect sizes ranging from 0.4-0.7. CONCLUSION: Long-term, supervised exercise therapy proved more effective than usual care in improving functional disability and physical quality of life in people with axSpA and severe functional limitations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTER NUMBER: Netherlands Trial Register NL8238, included in the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP) (https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL8238).

Quality of reporting and nature of harms in clinical trials on supervised exercise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis.

To describe the quality of reporting and the nature of reported harms in clinical studies on the effectiveness of supervised exercises in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). We performed a systematic review, searching eight databases up to February 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating supervised exercises in adults with RA or axSpA were considered eligible. Data on harms were extracted according to the CONSORT Harms 2022 Checklist. Among others, it was recorded if harms were prespecified or non-prespecified. Moreover, the nature of reported harms was listed. Forty RCTs were included for RA and 25 for axSpA, of which 29 (73%) and 13 (52%) reported information on harms. In 13 (33%) RCTs in RA and four (16%) in axSpA, the collection of harms outcomes was described in the methods section. Prespecified outcomes were reported by eight (RA) and two (axSpA) RCTs. Non-specified harms outcomes were reported by six (RA) and four (axSpA) RCTs. Prespecified harms outcomes included measures of pain, disease activity, inflammation, and structural joint changes. The nature of non-prespecified harms outcomes varied largely, with pain being most common. A considerable proportion of trials on supervised exercise in RA or axSpA does not or inadequately report harms outcomes. Pain was the most commonly reported prespecified or non-specified harm. For a considerate interpretation of the balance between benefits and harms of supervised exercise in RA or axSpA, use of the CONSORT Harms 2022 Checklist for the design, conduct and reporting of trials is advocated.

Functional limitations of people with rheumatoid arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis and severe functional disability: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

The objective of the study is to describe the nature of functional limitations in activities and participation in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or axial SpondyloArthritis (axSpA) with severe functional disability. Baseline data from people with RA (n = 206) or axSpA (n = 155) and severe functional disability participating in an exercise trial were used. Their three most limited activities were derived from the Patient Specific Complaint (PSC) instrument and linked to the International Classification of Functioning and Health (ICF). The frequencies of ICF categories were calculated and compared with Activities and Participation items of the ICF Core Sets for RA (32 second-level categories) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) (24 second-level categories). In total 618 and 465 PSC activities were linked to 909 (72 unique in total; 25 unique second-level) and 759 (57 unique in total; 23 unique second-level) ICF categories in RA and axSpA. Taking into account all three prioritized activities, the five most frequent limited activities concerned the ICF chapter "Mobility", and included "Walking" (RA and axSpA 2 categories), "Changing basic body position" (RA and axSpA 1 category), "Stair climbing"(RA) and "Grasping" (RA),"Lifting" (axSpA) and "Maintaining a standing position" (axSpA). In RA, 21/32 (66%) and in axSpA 14/24 (58%) unique second-level categories identified in the prioritized activities are present in the Comprehensive Core Sets. Most limitations of people with RA or axSpA and severe functional disability were seen in the ICF chapter "Mobility". Most of the identified ICF categories were covered by the corresponding items of the ICF RA and AS Core Sets.

Instrument selection for the ASAS core outcome set for axial spondyloarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To define the instruments for the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society-Outcomes Measures in Rheumatology (ASAS-OMERACT) core domain set for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS: An international working group representing key stakeholders selected the core outcome instruments following a predefined process: (1) identifying candidate instruments using a systematic literature review; (2) reducing the list of candidate instruments by the working group, (3) assessing the instruments' psychometric properties following OMERACT filter 2.2, (4) selection of the core instruments by the working group and (5) voting and endorsement by ASAS. RESULTS: The updated core set for axSpA includes seven instruments for the domains that are mandatory for all trials: Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score and Numerical Rate Scale (NRS) patient global assessment of disease activity, NRS total back pain, average NRS of duration and severity of morning stiffness, NRS fatigue, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index and ASAS Health Index. There are 9 additional instruments considered mandatory for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) trials: MRI activity Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) sacroiliac joints and SPARCC spine, uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis assessed as recommended by ASAS, 44 swollen joint count, Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score, dactylitis count and modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score. The imaging outcomes are considered mandatory to be included in at least one trial for a drug tested for properties of DMARD. Furthermore, 11 additional instruments were also endorsed by ASAS, which can be used in axSpA trials on top of the core instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The selection of the instruments for the ASAS-OMERACT core domain set completes the update of the core outcome set for axSpA, which should be used in all trials.

Organisation and content of supervised group exercise for people with axial spondyloarthritis in The Netherlands.

Supervised group exercise (SGE) is recommended for people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Recent literature suggests that its contents and dosage must probably be revised. As a first step towards renewal, this study examined the current SGE organisation and content for people with axSpA in The Netherlands. A pen-and-paper survey was sent to the boards of the 82 local patient associations affiliated with the Dutch Arthritis Society in 2016. One member of each board was asked to complete questions on the nature and organisation of SGE and one of the supervising therapists to complete questions on the SGE supervision and contents. The questionnaire was returned by representatives of 67/82 (82%) local patient associations, of which 17 (25%) provided axSpA-specific SGE (16/17 SGE programmes with both land-based exercise and hydrotherapy and 1/17 with only hydrotherapy). These involved in total 56 groups with 684 participants and 59 supervisors, of whom 54 were physical therapists and 21 had had postgraduate education on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Besides mobility and strengthening exercises and sports (17/17), most programmes included aerobic exercise (10/17), but rarely with heart rate monitoring (1/17), patient education (8/17), periodic assessments (2/17), or exercise personalisation (1/17). In the Netherlands, a quarter of local patient associations organised axSpA-specific SGE, mostly containing land-based exercises combined with sports and hydrotherapy. Most supervisors lacked postgraduate education on RMDs and most programmes lacked intensity monitoring, patient education, periodic assessments, and personalisation, which are needed for optimising exercise programmes according to current scientific insights.

Development of ASAS quality standards to improve the quality of health and care services for patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) aimed to develop a set of quality standards (QS) to help improve the quality of healthcare provided to adult patients affected by axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) worldwide. METHODS: An ASAS task force developed a set of QS using a stepwise approach. First, key areas for quality improvement were identified, discussed, rated and agreed on. Thereafter, areas were prioritised and statements for the most important key areas were phrased on consensus. Appropriate quality measures were defined to allow quantification of the QS at the community level. RESULTS: The ASAS task force, consisting of 20 rheumatologists, two physiotherapists and two patients, selected and proposed 34 potential key areas for quality improvement which were then commented by 140 ASAS members and patients. Within that process three new key areas came up, which led to a re-evaluation of all 37 key areas by 120 ASAS members and patients. Five key areas were identified as most important to determine quality of care: referral including rapid access, rheumatology assessment, treatment, education/self-management and comorbidities. Finally, nine QS were agreed on and endorsed by the whole ASAS membership. CONCLUSIONS: ASAS successfully developed the first set of QS to help improving healthcare for adult patients with axSpA. Even though it may currently not be realistic to achieve the QS in all healthcare systems, they provide high-quality of care framework for patients with axSpA that should be aimed for.

Adequately dosed aerobic physical activity in people with axial spondyloarthritis: associations with physical therapy.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the engagement in moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA in axSpA patients with and without current physical therapy (PT). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a survey, including current PT treatment (yes/no) and PA, using the 'Short QUestionnaire to ASsess Health-enhancing PA' (SQUASH), was sent to 458 axSpA patients from three Dutch hospitals. From the SQUASH, the proportions meeting aerobic PA recommendations (≥ 150 min/week moderate-, ≥ 75 min/week vigorous-intensity PA or equivalent combination; yes/no) were calculated. To investigate the association between PT treatment and meeting the PA recommendations, odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using logistic regression models, adjusting for sex, age, health status and hospital. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 200 patients, of whom 68%, 50% and 82% met the moderate-, vigorous- or combined-intensity PA recommendations, respectively. Ninety-nine patients (50%) had PT treatment, and those patients were more likely to meet the moderate- (OR 2.09 [95% CI 1.09-3.99]) or combined-intensity (OR 3.35 [95% CI 1.38-8.13]) PA recommendations, but not the vigorous-intensity PA recommendation (OR 1.53 [95% CI 0.80-2.93]). Aerobic exercise was executed in 19% of individual PT programs. CONCLUSION: AxSpA patients with PT were more likely to meet the moderate- and combined-intensity PA recommendations, whereas there was no difference in meeting the vigorous-intensity PA recommendation. Irrespective of having PT treatment, recommendations for vigorous-intensity PA are met by only half of the patients. Implementation should thus focus on aerobic PA in patients without PT and on vigorous-intensity PA in PT programs.

The Extent and Nature of Functional Limitations According to the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Severe Functional Disability.

BACKGROUND: For a subgroup of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and severe disability, insight into their limitations is crucial for adequate treatment. AIM: To describe the extent and nature of functional limitations in people with RA and severe disability and to explore the associations of the extent of the functional limitations with patient characteristics, disease characteristics, and outcome measures. METHODS: Baseline data of 215 participants in an RCT on the (cost-)effectiveness of longstanding physiotherapy were used. Functional limitations were assessed with the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). The total HAQ-DI including eight domain scores were calculated. Associations between high HAQ-DI scores (≥2, yes/no) and other variables were examined using the Student's t-test or Chi-squared test where appropriate. RESULTS: The participants (90% women, age 58.8 ± 12.8 years) had a mean HAQ-DI score of 1.7 ± 0.5. The majority (56%) showed a moderate-to-severe disability in all domains. Higher HAQ-DI scores seemed to be associated with advanced age, longer disease duration, unemployment, joint replacements, and outcomes for daily functioning and physical quality of life, but not with measures of disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that a comprehensive assessment of all areas of daily activities in this subgroup is necessary in order to provide appropriate (non-)pharmacological care.

What do we miss? ASAS non-responders on anti-TNF therapy show improvement in performance-based physical function.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective study was conducted in order to establish whether AS patients, who are defined as non-responders after 3 months of anti-TNF therapy, show improvement on performance-based tests of physical functioning. METHODS: At baseline and 3 months after the start of anti-TNF therapy, AS patients completed seven performance-based tests of physical functioning, questionnaires on self-reported physical functioning (BASFI) and disease activity (BASDAI), and a pain and a global patient assessment. The concordance between ≥ 20% intra-individual improvement on the performance-based test of physical functioning and (i) response to anti-TNF therapy [Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society 20% (ASAS20) response] and (ii) ≥ 20% intra-individual improvement on self-reported physical functioning (BASFI) was assessed. RESULTS: One hundred AS patients were included, of which 82 patients completed all tests at both time points. After 3 months of anti-TNF therapy, 27 (32.9%) patients were categorized as non-responders according to the ASAS20 response criteria. Improvement in performance-based physical functioning was seen in 13 of the 27 non-responders (48.1%) (i.e. n = 13/82 = 15.9% of the total group). Furthermore, 30 (36.6%) patients showed no improvement on self-reported physical functioning (BASFI). However, 17 of the 30 (56.7%) patients did improve on the performance-based tests of physical functioning (i.e. n = 17/82 = 20.7% of the total group). CONCLUSION: After 3 months of anti-TNF therapy, performance-based tests of physical functioning showed improvement in 48.1% of the ASAS20 non-responders. With these performance-based tests, new information on outcome after anti-TNF therapy can be generated. Using performance-based tests alongside the BASFI could have additional value in the evaluation of outcomes for patients receiving anti-TNF therapy.

Clinically Relevant Deficits in Performance Tests in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between self-reported and performance-based physical functioning and to evaluate which performance tests are most frequently impaired in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS: Consecutive patients with axSpA underwent standardized assessments including patient and disease characteristics; patient-reported outcomes for disease activity, functioning, depression, mobility, and physical activity; and performance tests. Patients were defined as being impaired if they were not able to perform ≥ 1 of the performance tests. Validated cut-offs were used to define impaired physical performance. Impairment of performance tests as well as discrimination between subgroups were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (radiographic axSpA 66.5%, nonradiographic axSpA 33.5%) were included: 69% males, mean age 44.3 (SD 12.5) years, and mean symptom duration 17.9 (SD 12.6) years. The 2 most frequently impaired performance tests were the repeated chair stand test (n = 75, 37.5%) and putting on socks (n = 44, 22%). An impairment in ≥ 1 performance test was seen in 91 patients (45.5%). Patients with impairments were older (49.1 yrs vs 40.3 yrs); had a higher BMI (28.9 kg/m2 vs 25.8 kg/m2); a more active disease (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, 3.0 vs 2.1); higher Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI; 5.8 vs 2.7), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI; 4.4 vs 2.7), and Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society Health Index scores (9.5 vs 4.9); and higher depression screen values (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, 11.6 vs 6.5; all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Many patients with axSpA had impairments in physical performance tests. Importantly, this was frequently seen in tasks requiring coordination and muscle power of the lower extremity. Performance tests provide qualitatively different information than BASFI and BASMI assessments in patients with axSpA.

Differences in characteristics, health status and fulfillment of exercise recommendations between axial spondyloarthritis patients with and without supervised group exercise.

OBJECTIVE: Since decades, supervised group exercise (SGE) is recommended for people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). This study examines if weekly SGE contributes to fulfillment of exercise recommendations in axSpA patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from three studies with axSpA patients in The Netherlands, including two with outpatient populations (n = 196 and n = 153) and one with SGE participants (n = 128), were analysed. Sociodemographic and disease characteristics, SGE participation, health status (ASAS Health Index), spinal mobility and fulfillment of the recommendations for leisure-time aerobic (≥150 min/week moderate-intensity or ≥75 min/week vigorous-intensity) and strength and mobility (≥2 sessions/week) exercise (measured with SQUASH-questionnaire) were assessed. Differences between patients with and without SGE were analysed. RESULTS: In the two outpatient populations (n = 349), 17 patients (5%) used SGE. The SGE participants (n = 145) were significantly older, had longer disease duration, were less frequently employed, used less medication and had worse spinal mobility than patients without SGE (n = 332). There were no significant differences in health status. Patients with SGE fulfilled the moderate-intensity aerobic (89 % vs. 69%) and strength and mobility (44 % vs. 29%) exercise recommendations more often than patients without SGE, but the aerobic exercise recommendation was less often fulfilled with vigorous-intensity exercise (5 % vs. 12%). CONCLUSION: SGE is used by just few, especially older, axSpA patients and contributes to fulfilling recommendations for moderate-intensity, mobility and strength exercise. Both in patients with and without SGE, only a minority fulfilled the recommendations for vigorous-intensity, strength and mobility exercises. Therefore, future promotion of exercise should focus on implementing these types of exercise.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of longstanding exercise therapy versus usual care in patients with axial spondyloarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis and severe limitations: The protocols of two parallel randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: Research on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of longstanding exercise therapy in patients with axial SpondyloArthritis (axSpA) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is scarce, and mainly concerned patients with a relatively favorable health status. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of longstanding exercise therapy compared to usual care in the subgroup of patients with axSpA or RA and severe limitations in functioning. METHODS: In two separate, parallel randomized controlled trials the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of longstanding, active exercise therapy (52 weeks) compared with usual care (1:1) will be evaluated. The longstanding, active exercise therapy will focus on improving individual limitations in daily activities and participation and will be given by a trained physical therapist in the vicinity of the participant. For each diagnosis, 215 patients with severe limitations in activities and participation will be included. Assessments are performed at baseline, 12, 26, and 52 weeks. The primary outcome measure of effectiveness is the individual level of functioning (activities and participation), as measured with the Patient-Specific Complaints instrument at 52 weeks. For cost-effectiveness analyses, the EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L) and questionnaires on healthcare use and productivity will be administered. The economic evaluation will be a cost-utility analysis from a societal perspective. After 52 weeks, the patients in the usual care group are offered longstanding, active exercise therapy as well. Follow-up assessments are done at 104, 156, and 208 weeks. CONCLUSION: The results of these studies will provide insights in the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of longstanding exercise therapy in the subgroup of axSpA and RA patients with severe functional limitations.

How to optimize exercise behavior in axial spondyloarthritis? Results of an intervention mapping study.

OBJECTIVE: Many individuals with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) do not engage in adequate exercise, despite its proven health benefits. This study aimed to identify the intervention components needed to optimize exercise behavior in people with axSpA. METHODS: The first three steps of the Intervention Mapping protocol were used: 1) needs assessment; 2) identification of axSpA-specific exercise barriers and facilitators (´determinants'); 3) selection of effective intervention components addressing potentially modifiable determinants. All three steps included scoping reviews and semi-structured interviews with patients (n = 2) and physical therapists (n = 2). RESULTS: The scoping reviews included 28, 23 and 15 papers, respectively. Step 1 showed that only one third of axSpA patients exercise regularly, demonstrating especially a lack of strengthening and cardiorespiratory exercises. Based on eight determinants identified in Step 2, 10 intervention components were selected in Step 3: education, motivational interviewing, goal setting, action planning, monitoring, feedback, tailoring, guided practice, therapists' training and group exercise encouragement. CONCLUSION: Using the Intervention Mapping method, 10 intervention components for optimizing exercise behavior in people with axSpA were identified and an intervention with behavior change guidance and a training for health professionals is proposed. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study provides a foundation for the development of an axSpA-specific exercise intervention.

Responsiveness and Interpretability of 2 Measures of Physical Function in Patients With Spondyloarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Maintenance or improvement of physical function is an important treatment target in the management of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA); measurement tools that can detect changes in physical function are therefore important. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare responsiveness and interpretability of the patient-reported Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Performed-Based Improvement (ASPI) in measuring change in physical function after exercise in patients with axSpA. DESIGN: This was a sub-study of 58 patients nested within a randomized controlled trial comparing the effect of 12 weeks of exercise with usual care. METHODS: Responsiveness and interpretability were assessed according to the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instrument. Responsiveness was assessed by testing 8 predefined hypotheses for ASPI and BASFI. Interpretability was assessed by: (1) using patients' reported change as an anchor ("a little better" = minimal important change) and (2) by categorizing patients with a 20% improvement as responders. RESULTS: For ASPI and BASFI, 5 of 8 (63%) versus 2 of 8 (25%) of the predefined hypotheses for responsiveness were confirmed. The minimal important change values for improvement in physical function were 3.7 seconds in ASPI and 0.8 points (on a scale from 0 to 10) for BASFI. In the intervention group, 21 of 30 (70%) and 13 of 30 (43%) of the patients were categorized as responders measured with ASPI and BASFI, respectively. There was a tendency towards a floor effect in BASFI, as 8 of 58 (14%) patients scored the lowest value at baseline. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its moderate sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ASPI is preferable over BASFI when evaluating physical function after exercise interventions in patients with axSpA.

Supervised Group Exercise in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Patients' Satisfaction and Perspective on Evidence-Based Enhancements.

OBJECTIVE: Supervised group exercise (SGE) has been proven effective in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), but its contents and dosage do not always comply with current scientific insight. This aim of this study was to describe axial SpA patients' satisfaction with current SGE and perspective on potential evidence-based SGE enhancements. METHODS: Patients with axial SpA who participated in SGE in 4 regions in The Netherlands (n = 118) completed a cross-sectional survey on their satisfaction with features of their current SGE (8 questions scored on a 3-point Likert scale; 1 overall grade, scored according to an 11-point scale) and their perspective on the introduction of appropriately dosed cardiorespiratory and strengthening exercise, monitoring of exercise intensity, periodic reassessments, patient education, and supervision by physical therapists with specific expertise (4 dichotomous questions and one 5-point Likert scale). RESULTS: Most patients were satisfied with the current total intensity (84 of 112 patients [75%]), duration (93 of 111 patients [84%]), and load (89 of 117 patients [76%]) of the program and the proportion of mobility (102 of 114 patients [90%]), strengthening (90 of 115 patients [78%]), and cardiorespiratory exercise (82 of 114 patients [72%]). The median overall grade of the program was a 7 (interquartile range 7-8). Most patients agreed with the implementation of more frequent (home) exercise (73 of 117 patients [62%]), heart-rate monitoring (97 of 117 patients [83%]), and annual reassessments (97 of 118 patients [82%]), whereas 50% agreed with the introduction of patient education (37 of 74 patients). The majority found supervision by therapists specializing in axial SpA to be of high importance (105 of 118 patients [89%]). CONCLUSION: The majority of SGE participants with axial SpA were satisfied with current SGE but also agreed with enhancements in line with scientific evidence. Current satisfaction levels indicate that a planned implementation strategy, including education and addressing potential barriers and facilitators for the uptake of enhancements, is warranted.

The Ankylosing Spondylitis Performance Index: Reliability and Feasibility of an Objective Test for Physical Functioning.

OBJECTIVE: Physical function in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is currently evaluated through questionnaires. The Ankylosing Spondylitis Performance Index (ASPI) is a performance-based measure for physical functioning, which has been validated in Dutch patients with radiographic (r-) axSpA. The interrater reliability has not yet been determined. To our knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate the validity, reliability, and feasibility of the ASPI in another patient population, including both r- and nonradiographic (nr-) axSpA patients. METHODS: Patients with axSpA were recruited from rheumatology clinics in Santiago, Chile. Dutch instructions were translated to Spanish by a forward-backward procedure. Study visits were performed at baseline and 1-4 weeks later. Four ASPI observers were involved, measuring the performance times of the 3 ASPI tests. Validity was assessed through a patient questionnaire (numeric rating scale 0-10: ≥ 6 sufficient). For reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated (with 95% CI). Correlations between the ASPI and disease variables were tested with regression analyses. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were included (57% male, 52% r-axSpA). All patients understood the Spanish instructions and considered the ASPI to reach its aim (84%) and representativeness (85%) for physical functioning. The overall interrater (n = 62) and test-retest (n = 39) reliability (ICC) of the 3 tests combined were 0.93 (0.88-0.96) and 0.94 (0.87-0.97), respectively. Eighty-two percent of the patients completed all tests and 94% finished in < 15 min (feasibility). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a high validity and feasibility in an entirely different population, with both r-axSpA and nr-axSpA. The interrater and test-retest reliability was excellent. The ASPI instructions are now available for Spanish-speaking patients.

Reproducibility of performance measures of physical function based on the BASFI, in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the test-retest reproducibility of performance measures of physical function based on the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) questionnaire in patients with AS. METHODS: Data were obtained from 65 AS patients. They were tested on two occasions by one assessor with a 1-week interval. Physical function was assessed via eight performance measures based on items used in the BASFI questionnaire, representing activities of daily life, which AS patients frequently report to be problematic. For each activity, a performance score was determined. Pain and exertion were measured using a 10-cm horizontal visual analogue scale (VAS) and Borg's modified scale, respectively. Test-retest reproducibility was assessed for all measurements using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and by calculating the standard error of measurement (SEM). RESULTS: Adequate intrarater reliability was found. For performance scores, ICCs ranged from 0.73 to 0.96. Measurements of exertion and pain also showed adequate intrarater reliability, with the exception of one performance measure, namely the test for the ability to look over one's shoulder. For this test, the ICCs were 0.66 and 0.69 for exertion and pain, respectively. The remaining ICCs for exertion ranged from 0.71 to 0.88 and for pain from 0.74 to 0.83. The SEM for performance scores ranged from 4 to 9% of the observed score. The SEM for exertion ranged from 8 to 11% and for pain from 10 to 15%. CONCLUSIONS: Performance measures of physical function based on the BASFI questionnaire have adequate to excellent test-retest reproducibility. Due to the presence of measurement error, measurements are accurate for group assessment; repeated measurements are advised for an adequate assessment of individual patients.

Continuous Improvement of Physical Functioning in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients by Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: Three-Year Followup and Predictors.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the 3-year outcome and course of physical functioning and spinal mobility impairments in patients routinely treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and to find predictors of physical functioning and spinal mobility impairments. METHODS: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients eligible for TNFi were followed in a 3-year prospective observational study. Prediction models were developed with linear mixed modeling. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) were used as outcome measures for physical functioning and spinal mobility. RESULTS: A total of 257 patients were included and treated with etanercept (n = 174) or adalimumab (n = 83). Physical functioning improved significantly during the first 6 months after the start of TNFi. The BASFI score decreased from mean ± SD 5.4 ± 2.4 to 3.3 ± 2.6 at 6 months, and stabilized thereafter (BASFI third year score mean ± SD 3.6 ± 2.5). The BASMI showed no significant changes over time. Lower baseline BASFI and BASMI scores predicted a better level of physical functioning and spinal mobility after 3 years of TNFi therapy. Other predictors for a better 3-year outcome and course of physical functioning included absence of comorbidity, physical activity, younger age, and lower body mass index at baseline. CONCLUSION: Physical functioning in routinely TNFi-treated AS patients improved up to 6 months and stabilized thereafter. Therefore, it would be better to extend the period of evaluation of TNFi treatment to 6 months rather than the 3 months currently used. The risk factors of long-term physical functioning found in this study might help to identify patients at risk at an earlier stage and improve treatment strategy.