Gen Z and Millennial Patients with Chronic Rheumatic Diseases Are Opening Up to Raise Awareness for Improved Care

Rhea-AI Summary

UCB (OTC:UCBJY) has released findings from their "Rheum for Improvement" survey, focusing on 250 Gen Z and Millennial patients living with chronic rheumatic diseases. The study revealed that despite feeling misunderstood, 74% of Gen Z and 67% of Millennials are willing to discuss their diagnoses with loved ones.

Key findings highlight that chronic fatigue remains a significant unmet need, affecting 60% of axSpA patients and 36% of PsA patients. Pain management emerged as a primary treatment goal for 80% of participants. The survey also revealed that while many patients feel empowered to participate in treatment decisions, there's still a need for improved HCP awareness and diagnostic tools.

The company's BIMZELX® treatment has shown promising results, with over 40% of patients experiencing significant symptom improvement in clinical studies.

Positive

• Strong patient engagement with 74% of Gen Z and 67% of Millennials willing to discuss their diagnoses
• Over 40% of BIMZELX-treated patients saw 50% improvement in PsA symptoms
• More than 40% of nr-axSpA or AS patients taking BIMZELX experienced 40% improvement in symptoms
• Majority of patients (56% axSpA, 67% PsA) feel empowered in treatment decisions

Negative

• 60% of axSpA patients report unmet needs in chronic fatigue management
• 42% of AS and nr-axSpA patients report insufficient HCP awareness causing diagnosis delays
• 24% of PsA patients indicate need for improved screening and diagnostic tools
• Significant percentage of patients still struggle with pain management and symptom control

• Survey insights reveal that despite many participants living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), which includes both non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), feeling misunderstood, a significant majority remain open to dialogue—74% of the 34 Gen Z and 67% of the 216 Millennials surveyed are willing to discuss their diagnoses with loved ones.¹
  
  
• Chronic fatigue emerged as a pressing unmet need, with 60% of the 50 AS and nr-axSpA and 36% of the 200 PsA respondents identifying the management of this symptom as an unmet need not currently addressed in their care.¹
  
  
• Across all surveyed age groups, pain management stood out as a leading treatment goal, with nearly 80% of the 250 participants citing it as a priority.¹

ATLANTA, Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, today shared results from the "Rheum for Improvement" survey that sought to further understand unmet needs among patients living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), which includes both non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). 

The survey revealed there is still "Rheum for Improvement"—especially in areas like misunderstanding of these conditions among patients' friends and family, unmet treatment and symptom management needs, and the importance of shared decision-making between patients and their healthcare providers (HCPs)¹:

• Support: The survey of 250 Millennial and Gen Z people living with chronic rheumatic diseases found that despite facing misunderstanding and misconceptions, a significant majority of the patients surveyed were willing to start conversations with loved ones.¹
  • 56% (n=19) of the 34 Gen Z and 58% (n=125) of the 216 Millennial participants surveyed feel empowered to speak about their symptoms to close family and friends.¹
    • These findings demonstrate the need for continued awareness around these conditions, and tools to encourage open conversations and education for family, friends, and all those who are impacted by rheumatic disease.
• Treatment priorities: When asked to select their top unmet needs from a list of symptoms, the battle against chronic fatigue and pain were areas where patients sought to share their experience and take action.
  • 36% (n=72) of the 200 PsA patients and 60% (n=30) of the 50 axSpA patients surveyed identified solutions to address chronic fatigue and improve energy levels as one of their top unmet needs.¹
  • 44% (n=88) of the 200 PsA patients surveyed identified more effective pain relief options as a current unmet need.¹
  • 40% (n=20) of the 50 AS and nr-axSpA patients surveyed identified long-term management strategies for swollen and tender joints as a top unmet need.¹
• Shared decision making: More than half of the 250 Gen Z and Millennial survey respondents living with axSpA (56%; n=28) and PsA (67%; n=134) felt empowered to engage in shared decisions about their treatment.¹
  • Those 250 surveyed also emphasized a desire to express their own needs and experiences to HCPs and participate in care decisions.¹
    • However, survey results showed that nearly 42% (n=21) of the 50 AS and nr-axSpA patients surveyed reported a need for greater awareness among HCPs in order to reduce diagnosis delays. ¹
    • Similarly, 24% (n=48) of the 200 PsA patients reported improved screening and diagnostic tools as an unmet need.¹

"I'm grateful to hear from people, who, in the prime of their lives, are struck by symptoms that can be so profound, and yet can be hidden from the world around them. These perspectives are key in inspiring change," said Camille Lee, Head of U.S. Immunology, UCB. "At UCB, our legacy of developing solutions, like BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx), that can make a meaningful impact for people living with severe chronic diseases is built on the understanding that working directly with patients is the best way to identify and address challenges in healthcare."

Living with PsA, nr-axSpA, or AS can be physically debilitating, and make everyday activities—such as getting ready, playing sports or with your children, or planning a career—challenging.^2-3 People living with these diseases also face invisible symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety.^4-5

Because the average age of onset is 30-50 years for PsA⁶ and 26 years for axSpA,⁷ the survey focused on 250 Generation (Gen) Z (born 1997-2008) and Millennial (born 1981-1996) patients with PsA, nr-axSpA, and AS.¹

As part of UCB's ongoing commitment to addressing unmet patient needs, we will launch educational and digital content informed by these survey findings—designed to raise awareness and ultimately help overcome the challenges identified. These efforts will also spotlight treatment options, including UCB's BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab-bkzx), which has demonstrated potential benefits  aligned with the priorities expressed by survey participants, including fast-acting relief and long-lasting control over chronic symptoms of PsA, nr-axSpA, and AS.⁸ In a study, more than 4 in 10 people taking BIMZELX for PsA saw at least 50% improvement in joint pain, swelling, and stiffness at 16 weeks vs less than 1 in 10 taking placebo.^8-9 In separate studies, more than 4 in 10 people with nr-axSpA or AS taking BIMZELX saw at least 40% improvement in back pain, stiffness, and spinal inflammation at 16 weeks vs about 2 in 10 taking placebo.⁸

Through the "Rheum for Improvement" survey, UCB gathered insights from 250 Gen Z and Millennial patients living with PsA (n=200), nr-axSpA (n=10), and AS (n=40) from April 16-29, 2025.¹*

Notes to editors:
*Insights based off of samples of less than 20 should be interpreted as directionally only.

About Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Psoriatic arthritis is a serious, highly heterogeneous, chronic, systemic inflammatory condition affecting both the joints and skin with a prevalence of 0.02 percent to 0.25 percent of the population.¹⁰ Psoriatic arthritis affects approximately 30 percent of people living with psoriasis.¹¹ It manifests as joint pain and stiffness, skin plaques, swollen toes and fingers (dactylitis), and inflammation of the sites where tendons or ligaments insert into the bone (enthesitis).¹² The burden on those living with PsA extends beyond physical discomfort to reduced quality of life, with comorbidities including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and depression.¹³ In PsA, uncontrolled active disease can lead to long-term, irreversible structural damage.¹⁴

About Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA)
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), which includes both non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease.¹⁵ nr-axSpA is defined clinically by the absence of definitive x-ray evidence of structural damage to the sacroiliac joints.¹⁵ axSpA is a painful condition that primarily affects the spine and the joints linking the pelvis and lower spine (sacroiliac joints).¹⁵ The leading symptom of axSpA in a majority of patients is inflammatory back pain that improves with exercise, but not with rest.¹⁵ Other common clinical features frequently include anterior uveitis, enthesitis, peripheral arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and dactylitis.¹⁵ The overall prevalence of axSpA is 0.3 percent to 1.3 percent of adults.^16-17 Approximately half of all patients with axSpA are patients with nr-axSpA.¹⁵ axSpA onset usually occurs before the age of 45.¹⁵ Approximately 10 to 40 percent of patients with nr-axSpA progress to ankylosing spondylitis over 2 to 10 years.¹⁵

About BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab- bkzx)                                                               
BIMZELX is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that is designed to selectively inhibit both interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes.⁸ IL-17A and IL-17F are key contributors of chronic inflammation and damage across multiple tissues, with IL-17F increasing over time.^8,18-20 IL-17F is over-expressed in skin and highly elevated in the serum of patients with psoriasis (PSO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).^18-21

The approved indications for BIMZELX in the U.S. are:⁸

• Plaque psoriasis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy
• Psoriatic arthritis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis
• Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation
• Ankylosing spondylitis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis
• Hidradenitis suppurativa: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to severe hidradenitis suppurativa

BIMZELX U.S. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

Suicidal Ideation and Behavior
BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx) may increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior (SI/B). A causal association between treatment with BIMZELX and increased risk of SI/B has not been definitively established. Prescribers should weigh the potential risks and benefits before using BIMZELX in patients with a history of severe depression or SI/B. Advise monitoring for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal ideation, or other mood changes. If such changes occur, instruct to promptly seek medical attention, refer to a mental health professional as appropriate, and re-evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment.

Infections
BIMZELX may increase the risk of infections, including serious infections. Do not initiate treatment with BIMZELX in patients with any clinically important active infection until the infection resolves or is adequately treated. In patients with a chronic infection or a history of recurrent infection, consider the risks and benefits prior to prescribing BIMZELX. Instruct patients to seek medical advice if signs or symptoms suggestive of clinically important infection occur. If a patient develops such an infection or is not responding to standard therapy, monitor the patient closely and do not administer BIMZELX until the infection resolves. 

Tuberculosis
Evaluate patients for tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to initiating treatment with BIMZELX. Avoid the use of BIMZELX in patients with active TB infection. Initiate treatment of latent TB prior to administering BIMZELX. Consider anti-TB therapy prior to initiation of BIMZELX in patients with a past history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed. Closely monitor patients for signs and symptoms of active TB during and after treatment. 

Liver Biochemical Abnormalities
Elevated serum transaminases were reported in clinical trials with BIMZELX. Test liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin at baseline, periodically during treatment with BIMZELX, and according to routine patient management. If treatment-related increases in liver enzymes occur and drug-induced liver injury is suspected, interrupt BIMZELX until a diagnosis of liver injury is excluded. Permanently discontinue use of BIMZELX in patients with causally associated combined elevations of transaminases and bilirubin. Avoid use of BIMZELX in patients with acute liver disease or cirrhosis. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported in patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors, including BIMZELX. Avoid use of BIMZELX in patients with active IBD. During BIMZELX treatment, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of IBD and discontinue treatment if new onset or worsening of signs and symptoms occurs.   

Immunizations
Prior to initiating therapy with BIMZELX, complete all age-appropriate vaccinations according to current immunization guidelines. Avoid the use of live vaccines in patients treated with BIMZELX.   

Most Common Adverse Reactions                                                 
Most common (≥ 1%) adverse reactions in plaque psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, injection site reactions, tinea infections, gastroenteritis, herpes simplex infections, acne, folliculitis, other candida infections, and fatigue. 

Most common (≥ 2%) adverse reactions in psoriatic arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. 

Most common (≥ 2%) adverse reactions in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, diarrhea, cough, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, tonsillitis, transaminase increase, and urinary tract infections. 

Most common (≥ 2%) adverse reactions in ankylosing spondylitis include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, diarrhea, injection site pain, rash, and vulvovaginal mycotic infection. 

Please see Important Safety Information below and full U.S. Prescribing Information at  www.UCBUSA.com/Innovation/Products/BIMZELX.

For further information, contact UCB:

U.S. Communications
Nicole Herga
T +1.773.960.5349
Email Nicole.Herga@ucb.com

About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With approximately 9,000 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of € 6.1 billion in 2024. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on X: @UCBUSA. 

Forward looking statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "potential", "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will", "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of UCB, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this document. 

Important factors that could result in such differences include but are not limited to: global spread and impacts of wars, pandemics and terrorism, the general geopolitical environment, climate change, changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms or within expected timing, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues, supply chain disruption and business continuity risks; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of UCB's information technology systems, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, competition from other products including biosimilars or disruptive technologies/business models, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in laws and/or rules pertaining to tax and duties or the administration of such laws and/or rules, and hiring, retention and compliance of employees. There is no guarantee that new product candidates will be discovered or identified in the pipeline, or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Movement from concept to commercial product is uncertain; preclinical results do not guarantee safety and efficacy of product candidates in humans. So far, the complexity of the human body cannot be reproduced in computer models, cell culture systems or animal models. The length of the timing to complete clinical trials and to get regulatory approval for product marketing has varied in the past and UCB expects similar unpredictability going forward. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to disputes between the partners or may prove to be not as safe, effective or commercially successful as UCB may have believed at the start of such partnership. UCB's efforts to acquire other products or companies and to integrate the operations of such acquired companies may not be as successful as UCB may have believed at the moment of acquisition. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products and/or devices after they are marketed. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of UCB's products that implicate an entire class of products may have a material adverse effect on sales of the entire class of affected products. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment, including pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement activities and outcomes. Finally, a breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UCB's data and systems.

Given these uncertainties, the public is cautioned not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this document, and do not reflect any potential impacts from the evolving event or risk as mentioned above as well as any other adversity, unless indicated otherwise. The company continues to follow the development diligently to assess the financial significance of these events, as the case may be, to UCB. UCB expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this document, either to confirm the actual results or to report or reflect any change in its forward-looking statements with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless such statement is required pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.  

References

1. Data on file. UCB, Inc., Smyrna, GA. Rheum for Improvement Survey (n=250). 
2. James L, Hailey LH, Suribhatla R, McGagh D, et al. The impact of psoriatic arthritis on quality of life: a systematic review. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2024;16:1759720X241295920. doi: 10.1177/1759720X241295920. 
3. Berr, K, Ziehfreund, S, Welcker, M, et al. A qualitative exploration of the patient journey in axial spondyloarthritis towards a people-centered understanding. Sci Rep. 2024;14(19977). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-70420-8. 
4. Zhao SS, Robertson S, Reich T, et al. Prevalence and impact of comorbidities in axial spondyloarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020;59(Suppl4):iv47-iv57. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa246. 
5. McDonough E, Ayearst R, Eder L, Cet al. Depression and anxiety in psoriatic disease: prevalence and associated factors. J Rheumatol. 2014;41(5):887–896. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24584900/.
6. Gladman DD, et al. Psoriatic arthritis: epidemiology, clinical features, course, and outcome. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):ii14–ii17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15708928/.  
7. Garrido-Cumbrera M, Navarro-Compán V, Bundy C, et al. EMAS Working Group. Identifying parameters associated with delayed diagnosis in axial spondyloarthritis: data from the European map of axial spondyloarthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022;61(2):705-712. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab369.
8. BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab-bkzx) U.S. Prescribing Information. https://www.ucbusa.com/Innovation/Products/BIMZELX. Last accessed July 2025.
9. Merola JF, Landewé R, McInnes IB, et al. Bimekizumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and previous inadequate response or intolerance to tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors: a randomised, double-blind, placebocontrolled, phase 3 trial (BE COMPLETE). Lancet. 2023;401(10370):38–48.  
10. Ogdie A, Weiss P. The Epidemiology of Psoriatic Arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2015:41(4);545–68.
11. Mease PJ, Gladman DD, Papp KA, et al. Prevalence of rheumatologist-diagnosed psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis in European/North American dermatology clinics. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69(5):729-735. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.07.023.
12. Mease P, Armstrong A. Managing patients with psoriatic disease: the diagnosis and pharmacologic treatment of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis. Drugs. 2014:74(4);423–41.
13. Lee S, Mendelsohn A, Sarnes E. The burden of psoriatic arthritis: A literature review from a global health systems perspective. P T. 2010;35(12):680–89.
14. Kwok T, Sutton M, Cook R, et al. Musculoskeletal Surgery in Psoriatic Arthritis: Prevalence and Risk Factors. J Rheumatol. 2023:50(4);497–503.
15. Deodhar A. Understanding Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Primer for Managed Care. Am J Manag Care. 2019;25:S319–30.
16. Reveille J, Witter J, Weisman M. Prevalence of axial spondylarthritis in the United States: estimates from a crosssectional survey. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012:64(6);905–10.
17. Hamilton L, Macgregor A, Toms A, et al. The prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis in the UK: a cross-sectional cohort study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015:10(16);392.
18. Glatt S, Baeten D, Baker T et al. Dual IL-17A and IL-17F neutralisation by bimekizumab in psoriatic arthritis: evidence from preclinical experiments and a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial that IL-17F contributes to human chronic tissue inflammation. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018;77:523–32.
19. Gordon KB, Foley P, Krueger JG, et al. Bimekizumab efficacy and safety in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (BE READY): a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10273):475-486.
20. Reich K, Papp KA, Blauvelt A, et al. Bimekizumab versus ustekinumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (BE VIVID): efficacy and safety from a 52-week, multicentre, double-blind, active comparator and placebo controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10273):487-498.
21. Rumberger BE, Boarder EL, Owens SL, et al. Transcriptomic analysis of hidradenitis suppurativa skin suggests roles for multiple inflammatory pathways in disease pathogenesis. Inflamm Res. 2020;69(10):967-973.

US-BK-2500609
BIMZELX^® is a registered trademark of the UCB Group of Companies.
©2025 UCB, Inc., Smyrna, GA 30080. All rights reserved.
Date of preparation: September 2025

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gen-z-and-millennial-patients-with-chronic-rheumatic-diseases-are-opening-up-to-raise-awareness-for-improved-care-302551615.html

SOURCE UCB

FAQ

What are the key findings of UCB's Rheum for Improvement survey 2025?

The survey revealed that 74% of Gen Z and 67% of Millennials are willing to discuss their diagnoses, while 60% of axSpA patients report unmet needs in chronic fatigue management. Pain management was identified as a priority by 80% of participants.

How effective is BIMZELX in treating PsA according to UCB's latest data?

According to the study, more than 40% of people taking BIMZELX for PsA experienced at least 50% improvement in joint pain, swelling, and stiffness at 16 weeks, compared to less than 10% taking placebo.

What percentage of UCB's survey participants feel empowered in their treatment decisions?

The survey showed that 56% of axSpA patients and 67% of PsA patients felt empowered to engage in shared decisions about their treatment.

What are the main unmet needs identified in UCB's 2025 rheumatic disease survey?

Key unmet needs include chronic fatigue management (affecting 60% of axSpA patients), more effective pain relief options (44% of PsA patients), and improved diagnostic tools (24% of PsA patients).

What age groups are most affected by PsA and axSpA according to UCB's research?

The average age of onset is 30-50 years for PsA and 26 years for axSpA, primarily affecting Millennials and Gen Z populations.