Abstract:
Abstract. Background. Multiple peculiarities of ankylosing spondylitis clinical course have a significant influence
on the physical,
mental and social status of patients. Systemic loss of bone tissue manifesting itself through the
development of osteoporosis and its complications is not excluded either. However, currently there is no sufficiently
clear information on the influence of osteoporosis or its metabolic components, as well as peculiarities of the
disease clinical course on the physical and mental health components in the patients suffering from ankylosing
spondylitis. Purpose: to study the quality of life indices using the SF-36 and HAQ questionnaires in men suffering
from ankylosing spondylitis and to assess the associations of these indexes with the disease clinical
course as well
as structural and functional state of bone tissue. Materials and methods. 105 men suffering from ankylosing
spondylitis and 25 practically healthy persons of the appropriate age and sex forming the control group were
examined. In order to assess the quality of life indices, the SF-36 and HAQ questionnaires were used. Results. It was
established that men suffering from ankylosing
spondylitis showed reliably lower indices of physical
(37.3 ± 1.5
points) and mental (44.2 ± 1.7 points) health components if compared to the control group (99.1 ± 0.3; 97.4 ± 0.7
points respectively). Under conditions of the low bone mineral density, quality of life indices (PCS; MCS) were only
12.2–7.1 % lower than in the patients with a preserved bone mineral density. It was shown that under conditions of
the Vitamin D deficiency, quality of life components were significantly worse, specifically on account of the mental
health component (р < 0.05). It was also established that the lower quality of life was closely associated
with a high
activity of the inflammatory process (ASDAS-СRP, BASDAI) and a high dose of glucocorticoids. Conclusions. Men
suffering from ankylosing spondylitis show a significant reduction of life quality indices by the SF-36 (PCS; MCS) and
HAQ questionnaires, which demonstrate no association with the age of the patients (except for MCS), disease
form
and duration, structural and functional state of bone tissue. However, they are significantly worse in subjects with
the Vitamin D deficiency, a high dose of glucocorticoids and high disease activity.
