| Summary: | Aim of the work: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and associated variables in Egyptian ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Patients and methods: 50 male patients with AS and 50 age-matched controls were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory data were examined including history for peripheral arthritis. Visual analog scale (VAS), Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), AS disease activity score (ASDAS)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and ASDAS-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Bath AS functional index (BASFI), Bath AS metrology index (BASMI) and AS quality of life (ASQoL). Spinal radiographs were graded by the modified Stoke AS spinal score (mSASSS). Results: The mean age of the patients was 33.1 ± 7.4 years and disease duration of 6.8 ± 3.1 years. The mean ASQoL score in patients was significantly higher (9.4 ± 3.8; 3–15) compared to the control. 26 (52%) patients had peripheral arthritis. Of these, 17 (65.4%) had hip involvement, 6 (23.1%) had knee, 5 (19.2%) had shoulder affection and 3 (11.5%) had ankle joint involvement. Patients with peripheral joint involvement had significantly higher ASQoL score than those without (11.4 ± 3.1 and 7.3 ± 3.4 respectively, p < 0.001). ASQoL significantly correlated with BASMI (p = 0.048), BASFI (p = 0.02), BASDAI (p = 0.01), ASDAS.CRP (p = 0.02) and ASDAS.ESR (p = 0.01). The multiple regression analysis to identify the independent variables associated with the ASQoL showed a significant association with peripheral joint involvement, BASDAI, ASDAS.ESR, ASDAS.CRP and BASFI scores. Conclusion: AS is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects HRQoL especially with higher disease activity, functional disability, more peripheral joint involvement and lesser spinal mobility in Egyptian patients.
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