Evaluating health and functional impairments in axial spondyloarthritis: A comprehensive analysis using the ASAS Health Index and Environmental Factors.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the health status and functional impairments in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) using the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society Health Index (ASAS-HI) and Environmental Factors (ASAS-EF) Index, and to evaluate the correlation of these indices with established clinical parameters.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 91 patients diagnosed with axSpA at the Rheumatology Department between November 2017 and July 2018. Participants were evaluated using ASAS-HI, ASAS-EF, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire, and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were performed to examine relationships between these indices and various clinical and demographic variables.

Results: The study found that 49.5% of patients had a BASDAI score >4, indicating high disease activity. The mean ASAS-HI score was 6.8, reflecting moderate to severe functional impairment in the study population. Significant positive correlations were observed between ASAS-HI and BASFI, BASDAI, spinal pain, and HAQ scores (p<0.05). However, no significant correlations were found between ASAS-HI and ASQoL, disease duration, CRP, or ESR. ASAS-EF was also positively correlated with BASFI, BASDAI, spinal pain, and HAQ scores.

Conclusion: The ASAS-HI and ASAS-EF indices effectively evaluate health status and functional impairments in patients with axSpA. The significant correlations with established clinical parameters highlight the indices' utility in capturing the multifaceted impact of axSpA, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive disease assessment in guiding targeted interventions.