AB0851 The effects of physiotherapy on respiratory functions and quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis patients. (23rd January 2014) - Bolac, E.
Abstract : Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease. AS causes restrictive respiratory disorder by limiting the expansion of the chest. Objectives: Our study was planned to evaluate the effect of physiotherapy programme on pulmonary function tests and quality of life in Ankylosing spondylitis patients Methods: Fourty AS patients (16 F, 24 M) were enrolled in this study. The disease duration, morning stiffness, Schober tests, chest expansion, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C Reactive Protein(CRP) were analyzed and recorded. On the first month of the study, a physiotherapy program was applied in the therapy unite 2 days in every week. A home program including range of motion strenghtening posture and, respiratory exercises 20-30 minutes in every day was prescribed. All the patients received an education and brochure about home exercise programme during the second and the thirth months. The pain was evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS). Disease activity was evaluated by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FVC) were performed with spirometry. Quality of life was evaluated by Health Asssesment Questionnaire Spondyloarthropaties (HAQS). Results: The mean disease duration of the patients was 5.83±5.88. Pre and post exercise scores were calculated and compared for each parameter. VAS and BASDAI values significantly decreased after exercises (p=0.012, p=0.020 respectively), while Schober, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC values significantly increased after exercises (p=0.019, p=0.025, p=0.010 respectively). There was an improve in HAQS scores after the physiotherapy programme, however it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our study showed that physiotherapy programme can be effective for the management of pain, disease activity and respiratory functions. References: Karapolat H, Akkoc Y, Sari I, Eyigor S, Akar S, Kirazli Y, Akkoc N, Comparison of group-based exercise versus home-based exercise in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: effects on Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Indices, quality of life and depression. Clin Rheumatol.2008 Jun;27(6):695-700. Lubrano E, D'Angelo S, Parsons WJ, Corbi G, Ferrara N, Rengo F, Olivieri IEffectiveness of rehabilitation in active ankylosing spondylitis assessed by the ASAS response criteria. Rheumatology (Oxford), 2007 Nov;46(11):1672-5. Analay Y, Ozcan E, Karan A, Diracoglu D, Aydin R. The effectiveness of intensive group exercise on patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Clin Rehabil, 2003 Sep;17(6):631 Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Alonso-Blanco C, Alguacil-Diego IM, Miangolarra-Page JCOne-year follow-up of two exercise interventions for the management of patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial. Am. J. Phys.Med.Rehabil, 2006 Jul;85(7):559-67. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared