Quality of life in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis in Duhok government, Kurdistan of Iraq

Background and objectives: Spondylarthritis is a broad spectrum of chronic inflammatory diseases, and one of its of phenotypes is ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis can impact the quality of life and health status because of pain, fatigue, and stiffness. This study aims to evaluate health-related quality of life and extra-articular manifestation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Iraq /Duhok city. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Duhok Center of Rheumatic Diseases. This study was conducted from the first of June 2022 to the end of November 2022 and ninety-two ankylosing spondylitis patients were enrolled and had their quality of life assessed. The assessment of Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire was used, which is divided into four categories: social interaction, emotional health, disease activity, and physical function. Results: Most of the patients were diagnosed between age 25 and 34 years, more than 90% of the participants were males only 6.5 % were females. The mean value of the total Quality of life score of patients with ankylosing spondylitis was 32.1. %. The patients had bilateral sacroiliitis (90.22%), peripheral arthritis (54.35%), plantar fasciitis (43.48%), and anterior uveitis (22.83%). The HLA-B27 was positive for 60.87% and 93.48% had spinal involvement. A small percentage did moderate physical activity (10.8%). patients with normal sleepers (63.04%), and those who were able to walk (94.57%). The study showed that the total QoL score of short sleepers had worse scores compared to the normal sleepers (41.67 vs. 27.76; P<0001) was statistically significant. Conclusion: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic condition that needs assessment. The disease affects the quality of life, causing functional disability and reduced activity.