Background: The evaluation of emotional status is an important parameter in management of rheumatic diseases. There are few studies evaluating the psychological status in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its relationships with disease parameters and quality of life.
Objective: In this study, we evaluated the psychological status in Moroccan patients with AS and its relationships with the activity of the disease, the functional status, and the quality of life.
Patients: One hundred ten patients were included in this cross-sectional study according to the modified New York criteria for AS. Psychological status was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) including the depression and anxiety subscales. The quality of life was evaluated by the Short Form 36.
Results: Depression was found in 55.5% and anxiety in 60% among our patients. The HADS depression and anxiety subscales were significantly correlated with clinical parameters and with worsening in all domains of the Short Form 36.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that role limitations due to emotional problems, vitality, and general health perception were independent risk factors of anxiety. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, vitality, and role limitations due to emotional problems were the independent factors that influenced the risk of depression.
Conclusion: This study suggests that depression and anxiety are frequent in AS. Impaired quality of life and functional disability seemed to be independent risk factors of psychological disorders. Therefore, assessment and management of patients with AS should take into account the evaluation and management of their psychological disorders and improvement of their functional disability.