Evaluation of Postural Stability and Fall Risk in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influences of Ankylosing spondylitis on postural balance and the risk of falls. Methods: A total of 73 sobjects were recruited for the study, including 36 with AS (17 men, 19 women) and 37 healthy controls (19 men, 18 women). Patients were evaluated in terms of balance and risk of falls. Balance and risk of falls was assessed with the Biodex Stability System. Results: The mean age, gender and body mass index of the participants did not differ significantly between (p=0.308, p=0.724, p=0.766, respectively). When groups were evaluated in terms of postural stability indexes Overall Stability Index (OSI), Antero-Posteior Stability Index (APSI) and Medio-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI) had no statistically significant difference (p=0.190, p=0.437 ve p=0.144), respectively). Fall Risk Index (FRI) evaluations showed that as patients’ test scores were higher than control group (p=0.001). (Table 1). Conclusions: In this study, we present numerical data that suggests that AS are associated with risk of falling. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(1.000): 86-91]

Keywords

• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Balance Disorder
• Risk of Falling