Health-related Quality of life among patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and its correlation with disease-related variables. A Cross-Sectional Study in Erbil City

Background and objectives: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, rheumatic, inflammatory disease that basically involves axial skeleton. As a result, functional limitations develop that may negatively affect quality of life. Our aim is to assess the quality-of-life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and to determine its’ correlation with disease variables including disease activity, functional status, spinal mobility, and bodily pain. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled fifty patients with ankylosing spondylitis in the Rizgari teaching hospital was conducted between November 2022 to March 2023. Both short form-36 and ankylosing spondylitis quality of life instruments were used to evaluate Health related quality of life. Bath Disease Activity Index, Bath Functional Index, Bath Metrology Index, and total pain visual analogue scale used to assess disease related variables. Results: fifty patients aged (20-50) years participated, their mean age was (35.4), the majority (80%) were males. The peripheral joints were involved in 42% of these patients. The mean ankylosing spondylitis quality of life score was 8.7 ± (4.6) SD, short form-36 domains of physical role limitation, general health, vitality, and bodily pain had the lowest scores (43.5, 44.6, 45.8, 50.7) respectively. both Bath disease activity index (B = 1.047; p = 0.010) and Bath functional index (B=0.974; p=0.012) were poor predictors of Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life score, while Bath Metrology Index (B = -3.444; p = 0.043) was the main predictor for physical functioning. Conclusion: The health-related Quality of life in participants was significantly impaired. High disease activity, poor functional status and limitation in spinal mobility were recognized as poor predictors of Health-related quality of life.