The Assessments in Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) and Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network (SPARTAN) Revised Classification Criteria for Axial Spondyloarthritis: Development and Validation in the Classification of Axial SpA Inception Cohort Study
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation 0854
Presenting author: W. Maksymowych
Date: Saturday, 16th November 2024
The global CLASSIC study, a joint ASAS–SPARTAN initiative, aimed to validate the 2009 ASAS classification criteria for axSpA against predefined sensitivity and specificity targets (≥ 75% and ≥ 90%). The original criteria did not meet these goals, prompting development of revised weighted criteria using LASSO analysis, which achieved 79.5% sensitivity and 90.4% specificity, successfully reaching the prespecified performance targets.
Sex-related differences in clinical presentation and patient-reported burden in chronic back pain: are these findings specific to axSpA? Results from the SHERPAS Cohort
Abstract format and assignment number: Poster 1062
Presenting author: D. Benavent
Date: Monday 27th October 2025 10:30
In this cross-sectional SHERPAS cohort study of 260 young adults with chronic back pain (CBP) but without axSpA, females reported significantly higher disease activity (BASDAI) and functional impairment (BASFI) than males. These findings indicate that sex-related differences in symptom burden extend beyond axSpA, supporting sex-sensitive approaches to CBP evaluation and management.
Therapeutic Approach in Patients with Artrhralgia at Risk of Progression to Psoriatic Arthritis
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation 0877
Presenting author: D. Benavent
Date: Monday 27th October 2025 10:30
In this prospective cohort of 1,419 patients with arthralgia, 8.4% met criteria for arthralgia at risk of progression to psoriatic arthritis (ARP-PsA). Among them, 41% began treatment, mainly with NSAIDs or DMARDs. After one year, 29% progressed to PsA, emphasizing early intervention in high-risk patients, particularly those with psoriasis.
Defining sonographic enthesitis in psoriatic arthritis: Developing a data- and expert-driven definition for inflammatory enthesitis at the single enthesitis level
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation 1710
Presenting author: A.L. Ribeiro
Date: Monday 27th October 2025 15:00
This DUET study developed a consensus-based ultrasound definition of inflammatory enthesitis in psoriatic arthritis. Ten expert sonographers reviewed 90 scans, identifying key features such as power doppler grade ≥ 2 near the bone cortex with hypoechogenicity and/or thickening. The proposed definition, validated by Delphi consensus, aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and research standardization.
Development and validation of a Disease Activity index for Psoriatic Arthritis based on 44 joints: DAPSA44
Abstract format and assignment number: Poster 2332
Presenting author: D. Capelusnik
Date: Tuesday 28th October 2025 10:30
This study, using data from 4,121 patients in the ASAS-PerSpA cohort, developed and validated a modified DAPSA score (DAPSA44) using 44-joint counts instead of 66/68. The DAPSA44 showed excellent agreement with the original DAPSA (ICC = 0.98, κ = 0.95) and strong discriminatory ability, supporting its use when reduced joint counts are available.
Rotation or Change of Biologic After TNF blocker treatment failure for axial Spondyloarthritis
Abstract format and assignment number: Late-breaking poster LB09
Presenting author: E. Dalix
Date: Tuesday 28th October 2025 10:30
The ROC-SpA randomized multicenter trial compared switching to an IL-17A inhibitor versus cycling to a second TNF inhibitor after first TNFi failure in axial spondyloarthritis. Among 31 centers, both groups achieved similar ASAS40 responses at week 24 (15.2% vs 14.5%). No significant differences emerged, supporting individualized treatment decisions.
Clementina López-Medina
Clementina is a Rheumatologist and Associate Professor at Reina Sofía University Hospital and the University of Córdoba, Spain. Her main research interest is clinical and translational research in Spondyloarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis. She also leads the Spondyloarthritis Unit at her hospital. Clementina is a member of the Spanish Group of Interest in Spondyloarthritis (GRESSER), the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA), and a full member of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS). She is also a member of the EMEUNET Social Media Sub-Committee.