Musculoskeletal health in patients with axial spondyloarthritis and its association with disease activity, mobility, functionality and quality of life

INTRODUCTION: Axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) patients present the symptoms such as limitation of spinal mobility, loss in physical functions, pain and fatigue. Due to heterogeneity of symptoms, disease management should include a holistic approach and broad variety of assessments. The purpose of present study was to evaluate musculoskeletal health in patients with axSpA and to determine its association with spinal mobility, disease activity, functionality and quality of life.
METHODS: Forty-two patients with axSpA were included in this study. Demographics and disease related data were recorded. The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL) were performed to evaluate musculoskeletal health, spinal mobility, disease activity, functionality and quality of life, respectively. MSK-HQ, BASMI, BASDAI, BASFI and ASQoL were also compared according to radiographic status, biologic use.
RESULTS: Forty-two axSpA patients (31 females and 11 males) were evaluated. The MSK-HQ is significantly related to pain, BASDAI, BASFI and ASQoL (p<0.001). Spinal mobility was better in non-radiographic axSpA subgroup compared to radiographic axSpA subgroup (p<0.001). No other differences were found related to radiographic status nor biologic use (p > 0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal health is impaired in patients with axSpA. Pain, functional capacity are closely related to musculoskeletal health. It seems that well disease management by using appropriate treatment options may have a positive effect on general health status in patients with axSpA.