The Prevalence of Ankylosing Spondylitis in The Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey

The Quality of Life in Muslim Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis in Türkiye

INTRODUCTION

Successful approaches to managing physical and psychosocial impacts on quality of life (QoL) of people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are grounded in their sociocultural and religious perspectives. The purpose of this study was to assess the QoL of Muslim patients with AS in Türkiye.

METHODOLOGY

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 101 patients. The data were collected using a Demographic Form and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Index.

RESULTS

It was determined that the QoL of those who use medication regularly and whose physical activity, psychological state, social and sexual life are affected is statistically significantly worse (p < .05).

DISCUSSION

Results can provide better understanding of the QoL of Muslim patients and physical, social, and psychological influences of AS on QoL in this population. These results may have substantial impact on designing interventions to improve the QoL of Muslim patients with AS and the factors affecting it.

Optimizing outcomes for ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis patients: a holistic approach to care

Axial SpA (axSpA) can affect diverse elements of an individual's life. The areas affected can be much more wide-ranging than the historical medical model of SpA, causing increased disease activity (pain and stiffness) and disability (reduced range of movement and physical function). A more holistic view of the individual results in the realization that many other areas of life can be adversely affected by axSpA, from the ability to work effectively and function socially, to effects on quality of life and the onset of worsening fatigue or mood disturbance. A good understanding of these areas outside the medical model allows for an improved understanding of the overall life impact of axSpA. This highlights the importance of understanding how to measure these elements of life using patient-reported outcome measures that can truly reflect an individual's experience of axSpA. These measures can then provide a better insight into the risks and benefits of interventions and medications used to treat axSpA.

Evaluation of choroidal thickness in ankylosing spondylitis using optical coherence tomography

Abstract Purpose: To investigate posterior segment (PS) findings in the eye in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

Eighty-four patients with AS and 63 healthy controls were enrolled. PS evaluations were performed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Foveal thickness, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, macular volume, ganglion cell complex, and choroidal thickness (CT) values were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Mean CT was higher in patients with AS (326.5 ± 71.5 µm) than in the healthy controls (286.2 ± 59.5 µm) (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between patients with AS and the healthy control group in terms of other OCT parameters. There was also no significant correlation between CT, AS activity index, and disease duration.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to evaluate effects of AS on CT. CT was high in patients with AS compared to healthy controls.