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Spondyloarthritis function varies by sex

Women had greater functional deterioration over 17 years, while permanent work disability did not differ significantly between sexes.

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • August 20, 2026

  • 4 min

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Clinical Report: Spondyloarthritis function varies by sex

Overview

The REGISPON-3 study reveals that women with spondyloarthritis experience greater functional deterioration compared to men, despite similar rates of permanent work disability.

Background

Spondyloarthritis is an inflammatory disorder that affects both men and women, yet previous research has often overlooked sex-related differences in disease impact. The REGISPON-3 study provides insights into how functional deterioration varies by sex over a long-term follow-up period.

Data Highlights

GroupMean BASFIChange in BASFIPermanent Work Disability
Women4.71.427%
Men3.60.332%

Key Findings

  • Women showed greater long-term functional deterioration than men, with higher mean BASFI scores at follow-up.
  • Permanent work disability rates were similar between sexes, at 27% for women and 32% for men.
  • Higher baseline BASDAI and BASRI scores were associated with permanent disability in both sexes.
  • Functional change was influenced by different factors in men and women, with specific associations identified for each sex.
  • The indirect effect of biologic DMARD exposure on functional change through C-reactive protein was significant in men but not in women.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be aware of the differing functional outcomes in spondyloarthritis based on sex.

Conclusion

The findings from the REGISPON-3 study indicate the need for considerations in the evaluation and management of spondyloarthritis based on sex.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Arthritis Care & Research, 2026 -- Sex Differences in Medication Discontinuation in Axial Spondyloarthritis
  2. Clinical Rheumatology, 2022 -- The Role of Gender and Sex in Diagnosis, Treatment Outcomes, and Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis
  3. Clinical Rheumatology, 2026 -- Discrepancies in the assessment of axial spondyloarthritis between patients and rheumatologists: what does this mean?
  4. ACR Guidelines Advance Axial Spondyloarthritis Treatment, American College of Rheumatology, 2026
  5. Sex differences in long-term functional deterioration and permanent disability in spondyloarthritis: a 17-year follow-up from the REGISPON-3 study - PMC
  6. Frontiers in Immunology — Sex-specific COX-2/CREB/ER signaling underlies male susceptibility to pulmonary fibrosis in rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease
  7. Sex‐Related Differences in Efficacy and Safety Outcomes in Axial Spondyloarthritis Randomized Clinical Trials: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta‐Analysis
  8. ACR Guidelines Advance Axial Spondyloarthritis Treatment | American College of Rheumatology
  9. Sex differences in long-term functional deterioration and permanent disability in spondyloarthritis: a 17-year follow-up from the REGISPON-3 study - PMC
  10. Domains to Be Considered for the Core Outcome Set of Axial Spondyloarthritis: Results From a 3-round Delphi Survey

Original Source(s)

Spondyloarthritis function varies by sex

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • August 20, 2026

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