Clinical characteristics and disease activity of Spondyloarthritis in Central Vietnam: a cross-sectional study

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a major cause of chronic pain and disability worldwide; however, clinical characterization remains limited in Southeast Asia, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of SpA in Central Vietnam.

We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with SpA according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society criteria from 2019 to 2024. Disease activity was evaluated using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) and the Patient Global Assessment (PGA). Factors associated with ASDAS-CRP and PGA score were explored using linear regression models.

Based on an analaysis of 177 patients with SpA, the following results were observed. Most patients (148) had axial SpA, while 29 (16.4%) had peripheral SpA. Males accounted for 66.7% of cases, and 95.5% were diagnosed before the age of 45 years. The mean ASDAS-CRP and PGA scores were 2.8 ± 1.1 and 5.1 ± 2.1, respectively. Overall, 57% of patients exhibited high or very high disease activity. Higher ASDAS-CRP scores were significantly associated with male sex, presence of enthesitis, CRP ≥ 5 mg/L, ESR ≥ 10 mm/h, and absence of anemia. Higher PGA scores were significantly associated with older age at diagnosis, presence of enthesitis, chronic enteritis, CRP ≥ 5 mg/L, and absence of anemia.

This study highlights a male predominance and a higher proportion of axial over peripheral SpA in Central Vietnam. Most patients presented with moderate to high disease activity. These findings emphasize the need for early diagnosis and management, as well as larger multi-center studies to better define the epidemiology and clinical patterns of SpA in Vietnam. Key Points • Provides the first comprehensive clinical characterization of spondyloarthritis (SpA) in Central Vietnam. • Reveals a clear predominance of axial SpA and male patients in the Vietnamese population. • Identifies factors associated with higher disease activity using both ASDAS-CRP and Patient Global Assessment. • Emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and multicenter studies to improve SpA management in Southeast Asia.