Self‐Management Program Proves Beneficial for Patients With AS

An ankylosing spondylitis self‐management program (ASSMP) yielded significant and lasting positive impacts on patient symptoms, long-term measures of disease activity, and overall quality of life, new research has found.

To better study patients with musculoskeletal diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis (AxSpA)—generally associated with disability, significant impairments, and poor quality of life—researchers developed a tailored ASSMP, a self-evaluation, followed by focus group discussions and specific needs assessment.

Research was conducted within a 6-week program cycle to further refine the ASSMP, and data was collected by questionnaire regarding patient health status, quality of life, and disease activity at multiple points for 12 months. Of the participants in the study, 55% were women, with a mean age of 48.5 (+12.5), and average AxSpA diagnosis of 4 years.

“AS disease activity Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global Score scores improved at 3, 6, and 12 months. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index improved at 6 weeks and was sustained at 3, 6, and 12 months,” the authors reported.

Researchers also reported improvements across Patients Global Disease Activity (improved at 6 months); the Multi‐Dimensional Assessment of Fatigue and a Global Fatigue Index (improved at 6 months); the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (improved at 12 months); Evaluation Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (improved at 6 months); and Pain Self‐Efficacy Questionnaire (reported improvements at 12 months).

--Angelique Platas

Reference:

Inderjeeth C, Boland E, Connor C, Johnson C, Jacques A, McQuade J. Evaluation of an ankylosing spondylitis education and self‐management program: beneficial effects on ankylosing spondylitis specific outcomes.  Int J Rheum Dis. 2021; 24: 434– 444.
Published online March 10, 2021  
doi: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1756-185X.14070