#Women with
#spondyloarthritis (SpA) show markedly shorter persistence on first and second
#biologic #DMARDs (bDMARDs) despite similar initiation timing, as demonstrated by real-world data from Spanish REGISPONSER/REGISPON-3 registry:
◦ Study population: 411 SpA patients (271 lowed for 17 years (REGISPONSER → REGISPON-3).
◦ bDMARD initiation: No significant sex difference in time to first bDMARD (from symptoms or diagnosis).
◦ Males showed significantly longer persistence (retention) on bDMARD therapy compared to females:
- First bDMARD: males 88 months vs females 48 months (p = 0.004)
- Second bDMARD: males 260 months vs females 133 months (p = 0.0007)
◦ Multivariable analyses (Cox proportional hazards models) revealed sex-specific predictors of bDMARD initiation.
◦ The main reason for discontinuation was inefficacy in both sexes, but adverse events were reported more frequently as a reason for stopping treatment in females.
These findings indicate that while the timing of starting bDMARDs is similar between males and females with SpA, women demonstrate significantly shorter persistence on biological treatments over the long-term follow-up.
*Moldovan DMM, Ladehesa-Pineda L, Puche-Larrubia MÁ et al. Sex-based differences in bDMARD initiation and persistence in spondyloarthritis: a 17-year follow-up study from the REGISPON-3 registry. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published online March 21, 2026.
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doi.org/10.1093/rheuma…P
