Objectives To assess differences in the social habits (alcohol, smoking) in European and non European patients with spondylarthritis (SpA).

Methods From a registry of patients with psoriasis a total of 134 patients (87 European, 47 Non-European) fulfilling ASAS criteria for SpA (4 patients had axial disease, 113 patients had peripheral disease, 17 patients had both axial and peripheral disease) were questioned regarding their alcohol and smoking habits. In the alcohol intake section patients were asked a) whether they drink alcohol or not and b) whether they drink socially, daily or never. In the smoking section patients were asked to reply whether they were current smokers, ex-smokers or never smoked.

Results:

Mean age of the total group (t) was 50.1 year (y) ±13.4 [European [E] = 52.2 y ±4.1; non European [nE] = 46.5 y ±11.4; p=0.01]. Age at diagnosis (t) was 43.5±4.5; E=45.2±15.7; nE=40.6±11.9; Disease duration (t) 8.5±8.4; E=8.3±8.9; nE=8.9±7.9. Delay in diagnosis (t) 5.3±7.9; E=5.4±8.3; nE=5.1±7.1. BASDAI of the total group was 6.1±2.8 and well being (t) 6.1±2.7 with no difference between E and nE in both items. There were 130/134 (97%) replies on the alcohol question, 127/134 (94.7%) on the frequency of alcohol and 124/134 (92.5%) on the smoking.

Table shows alcohol intake, frequency and smoking in European and non European and statistical significant levels.

Looking at gender differences with regards to alcohol and smoking in European and non European, there are no differences between European men and women. (p=0.2, and p=0.8 for alcohol and smoking respectively). There were however statistical significant differences in both alcohol and smoking in non European between men and women in that men consume more of both. [Pearson’s chi square 5.840; df=1; p=0.01 for alcohol and pearson’s chi square 6.348; df=2; p=0.04 for smoking.]

Conclusions Significantly more European patients drink alcohol (p<0.005), and drink it in increased frequency compared to non Europeans (p<0.005). In addition sgnificantly more Europeans are current smokers (p<0.005.) comapred to non Europeans. There are no gender differences among European male and females in both alcohol and smoking but significantly more male non European dring alcohol and smoke compared to female non European.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared