Exploring the prevalence and factors associated with fatigue and quality of life in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Introduction Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the axial skeleton and may alter the quality of life of patients. Fatigue, one of the major clinical features of rheumatic diseases is a major clinical feature of AS, yet it has often been ignored in clinical practice. Objectives This study aims to evaluate the quality of life in AS and to address the prevalence of fatigue in this disease and its associated factors. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among AS patients. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and other clinical measures were collected during the study. We evaluated the psychometric characteristics of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue subscale) and the AS Quality of Life questionnaire (ASQoL). P values 0.05) Conclusions This study confirms that poor QoL and fatigue were frequent in patients with AS which can expose them to the risk of psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression. Therefore, patients suffering from AS should be regularly evaluated for these disorders. Disclosure of Interest None Declared