A RECENT study highlights significant diagnostic delays in radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) associated with social determinants of health, including race, ethnicity, and social needs. While previous research has examined the influence of sex and gender on r-axSpA diagnosis times, this study is one of the first to focus on how social factors may contribute to delayed diagnoses.
The study analysed data from 404 patients with r-axSpA, collected from a tertiary medical centre and organised within the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) network, covering diagnoses from 2000 to 2022. Researchers measured the time from the initial reporting of back pain or related symptoms to a formal r-axSpA diagnosis. The study revealed that patients with documented social needs, such as housing instability or financial challenges, experienced a 21% increase in diagnostic delay, equating to an additional seven-month wait for diagnosis compared to those without social needs.
Beyond social needs, race and ethnicity also influenced diagnostic timing, with the findings indicating longer delays for Black and Hispanic patients. Overall, these factors contributed to an average diagnostic delay of 34 months, highlighting disparities in the prompt identification of r-axSpA, which is essential for managing and improving patient outcomes.
The study suggests that addressing these social disparities through improved referral and screening strategies could help reduce diagnostic delays for r-axSpA, leading to better care for affected individuals.
Reference
Espadin RF et al. Disparities in time to diagnosis of Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis. J Rheum. 2024;DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2024-0574.
