Transforming axial spondyloarthritis diagnosis with FASTRAX in France

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. It typically presents before age 45 with chronic back pain, morning stiffness and fatigue. These symptoms can significantly impact daily activities.¹

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in preventing irreversible damage to the spine and sacroiliac joints.² Yet, on average globally, it can take up to nine years from the onset of symptoms for patients to be correctly diagnosed with axSpA. Chronic inflammatory back pain, a hallmark of axSpA, can be easily mistaken for mechanical lower back pain and patients often see multiple healthcare providers on a long and often frustrating diagnostic journey, before getting a final diagnosis from a rheumatologist. This delay not only worsens the disease's progression but also amplifies the physical, psychological, social, and economic burden on patients.³

Addressing this challenge requires early referral at the first signs of axSpA, ideally when patients first consult their general practitioners (GPs) about their chronic lower back pain.

To tackle the critical issue of delayed diagnosis, UCB launched the FASTRAX: program – a global initiative designed to accelerate the time to diagnosis and care of axSpA patients through digital solutions. In France, UCB has partnered with Cegedim Group, a leading technology and services group, to develop a software module, Axial Spondyloarthritis Knowledge (ASK), that seamlessly integrates with its Claude Bernard platform, a platform widely used by GPs across France.

The software module scans patients’ electronic medical records (EMR) when they visit their GP for chronic back pain, and automatically flags at-risk patients. In doing so, it helps GPs to identify potential patients who may need a referral for a rheumatology assessment. If signs and symptoms of axSpA are detected in a patient’s historical data, a pop-up alert offers GPs several options, including validated questions for further evaluation of the back pain, a referral letter to a rheumatologist, and links to additional educational resources on axSpA.

This collaboration between UCB and Cegedim Group marks a significant advancement in using digital health technology to overcome the long-standing challenges of axSpA diagnosis. As Béranger Lekens, Medical Intelligence Product Director of Cegedim Group Claude Bernard team, said, "This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration to achieve technological innovation and create sustainable change for patients."

UCB and Cegedim Group have worked closely to ensure that the FASTRAX France initiative meets the highest standards of quality, efficacy, and safety. A baseline analysis was first conducted using primary care data from French electronic health records between 2010 and 2023, extracted from THIN database, one of Europe's largest network of healthcare data sets. The findings, presented at the European Congress of Rheumatology 2024 (EULAR), confirmed that diagnostic delay remains a significant challenge in France, with an average of over six years from symptom onset.⁴ These results support the urgent need for interventions like the FASTRAX identification module, which help GPs recognize patients who may need a timely rheumatology referral.

The module is currently undergoing refinement with input from both medical and technical experts. It will then be tested for usability and clinical effectiveness with a group of GPs equipped with Cegedim Santé software. Once certified and compliant with relevant legislation and regulations, the module will be deployed across the entire Cegedim Santé GP network.

As Professor Prati of Besançon University Hospital's Department of Rheumatology notes, "The FASTRAX France initiative, supported by robust data and innovative digital solutions, has the potential to revolutionize how we identify and refer patients in the early stages of the disease — crucial for improving patient quality of life."

FASTRAX France is more than just a local initiative; it exemplifies UCB’s commitment to transforming patient care through digital innovation. Already our experience in France is helping us to tackle similar challenges in other markets like the USA.

According to Marie-Noel Achkar, Program Lead for FASTRAX France, “By addressing the diagnostic challenges of axSpA, our program aims to significantly improve patient outcomes while setting a new standard for solving complex healthcare challenges.” UCB and Cegedim Group are dedicated to the continued development of this module, with the goal of integrating it into clinical practice as quickly as possible. To learn more about UCB’s FASTRAX Program and its Digital Care Transformation initiatives, or speak to our team, Contact Us.

¹ Kiltz U, Kishimoto M, Walsh JA, et al. Effect of Upadacitinib on Quality of Life and Work Productivity in Active Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis: Results From Randomized Phase 3 Trial SELECT-AXIS 2. Rheumatol Ther. 2023;10:887–99.

² Mauro D, Forte G, Poddubnyy D, et al. The Role of Early Treatment in the Management of Axial Spondyloarthritis: Challenges and Opportunities. Rheumatol Ther. 2023;11:19–34.

³ Deodhar A. Am J Manag Care. 2019;25:S319-30.

⁴ Prati C, Constantin A, Dernis E, et al. Time to diagnosis and associated comorbidity burden in axial spondyloarthritis in general practice in France: results from the THIN® database. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2024;83:919–20.