A cluster analysis of patients with axial spondyloarthritis using tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors based on clinical characteristics

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to classify the distinct group of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) on tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) according to the baseline characteristics using a clustering algorithm. METHODS: The clinical characteristics and demographic data of patients with axial SpA included in the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics and Targeted Therapy registry were investigated. The patterns of disease manifestations were examined using divisive hierarchical cluster analysis. After clustering, we compared the clinical characteristics of patients and the drug survival of TNFi between the classified groups. RESULTS: A total of 1042 patients were analysed. The cluster analysis classified patients into two groups: axial group predominantly showing isolated axial manifestations (n = 828) and extra-axial group more frequently showing extra-axial symptoms (n = 214). Almost all extra-axial symptoms (peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, uveitis, and psoriasis) were more frequently observed in the extra-axial group than in the axial group. Moreover, patients in the extra-axial group had shorter disease duration, later disease onset, and higher disease activity than those in the axial group. The disease activity was comparable between the two groups after 1 year of treatment with TNFi. Interestingly, the extra-axial group had a lower drug survival with TNFi than the axial group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cluster analysis of patients with axial SpA using TNFi classified two distinct clinical phenotypes. These clusters had different TNFi drug survival, clinical characteristics, and disease activity. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-021-02647-z.