Objectives: We described the burden of illness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with spondyloarthritis (SpA) using a nationally representative sample.

Materials and Methods: We identified participants with SpA using the Amor classification criteria (probable: score 5 or definite: > /=6) and complete data on HRQoL from the 2009 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 231). HRQoL was measured using the Healthy Days Measures including self-rated health status (excellent/very good, good, fair/poor), number of activity-restricted days, and number of unhealthy mental and physical health days in the past month (range: 0-30). Other domains including clinical assessments, comorbidities, physical functioning, and medication use were also explored.

Results: Only 39% of the sample met the Amor criteria for definite SpA. Although 58% of those with definite SpA had seen a doctor > 3 times in the past year, 2.5% women and 4.1% men had ever been told by a physician that they have ankylosing spondylitis. Among those with definite SpA, racial/ethnic diversity was observed in women (13.6% non-Hispanic Black, 23.2% Hispanic) and men (11.6% non-Hispanic Black, 11.2% Hispanic). Overall, 41.6% women and 49.7% men rated their health as fair/poor. For other HRQoL measures, 25.4% women and 20.4% men reported > /=15 activity-restricted days and 39.7% women and 41.4% men reported > /=15 physically unhealthy days.

Conclusion: Both men and women rank health as poor with indications that it affects QoL. Although our small sample size limits definitive statements, we observed trends that warrant further confirmation in larger population-based samples.