Assessment of functional disability and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder involving mainly the axial skeleton and larger peripheral joints that progressively limits spinal mobility and may lead to irreversible structural changes and consequently to impaired physical function and reduced quality of life.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess functional disability and quality of life of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and determine the correlation between functional disability and quality of life.

Methods: The study enrolled 74 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (16 females and 58 males). The demographic data of the patients were collected. Functional disability was assessed with the Bath Ankylosing Functional Index (BASFI). Quality of life was assessed by the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and the European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EuroQoL/EQ-5D).

Results: In our study, the mean age was 48.5 +/-10.3 years. BASFI was negatively correlated with the SF-36 physical function subscale (p < 0.001), physical role (p = 0.002), bodily pain (p = 0.003), general health (p < 0.001), vitality (p = 0.012) and mental health (p = 0.010) subscale. There was a significantly inverse correlation between the BASFI score and the rating scale of EQ-5D (p = 0.001). In the regression model, the BASFI score (p = 0.000) showed an independent association with the physical function domain of SF-36.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the BASFI index was associated with physical function, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality and mental health domains of SF-36 and also with the rating scale of EQ-5D.