Comparative baseline characteristics of patients with non-radiographic axial SpA and AS with high (index of NSAID intake ≥50) and low (index of NSAID intake <50) NSAIDs intake
| Parameters at baseline | Low NSAIDs intake (NSAIDS index<50) | High NSAIDs intake (NSAIDS index≥50) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS (n=88) | n | 64 | 24 |
| Age, years | 36.2±12.4 | 38.7±9.8 | |
| Symptoms duration, years | 5.0±2.9 | 5.5±2.7 | |
| Male sex, % | 67 | 67 | |
| HLA-B27 (+), % | 86 | 79 | |
| BASDAI | 3.5±2.1 | 4.7±2.1* | |
| BASFI | 2.4±2.2 | 4.1±2.1† | |
| CRP, mg/l | 11.7±12.3 | 7.9±8.7 | |
| ESR, mm/h | 21.7±19.6 | 15.8±9.2 | |
| mSASSS, units | 5.7±11.6 | 6.7±7.7 | |
| Syndesmophytes, % | 27 | 46 | |
| Smoking, % | 39 | 38 | |
| Non-radiographic axial SpA (n=76) | n | 57 | 19 |
| Age, years | 38.6 ±9.3 | 43.0±9.6 | |
| Symptoms duration, years | 3.0±2.2 | 3.7±2.1 | |
| Male sex, % | 32 | 32 | |
| HLA-B27 (+), % | 71 | 68 | |
| BASDAI | 3.8±1.8 | 5.0±1.9* | |
| BASFI | 2.4±1.9 | 3.9±2.4* | |
| CRP, mg/l | 6.2±14.4 | 6.2±7.0 | |
| ESR, mm/h | 12.1±9.1 | 13.4±8.8 | |
| mSASSS, units | 2.6±4.8 | 1.6±4.0 | |
| Syndesmophytes, % | 14 | 11 | |
| Smoking, % | 32 | 26 |
↵* p<0.05; † p<0.01 for the difference between two groups.
AS, ankylosing spondylitis; BASDAI, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index; BASFI, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index; CRP, C reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HLA, human leucocyte antigen; mSASSS, modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; SpA, spondyloarthritis.