AB1110-HPR Investigation of Fear Avoidance Beliefs in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
Authors: T. Özen, S. Dönmez, Ö.N. Pamuk, M.A. Balcı, S. Özdinç
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2016)

<h3>Background</h3> Ankylosing Spondylitis is an chronic, inflamatory, systemic illness which effect on sacroiliac joints and spine. Chronic pain is an important problem in ankylosing Spondylitis patients (1). Catastrophic beliefs, which is developed by patients who experienced pain for along time, cause avoidance of use, defect and depression (2). As far as some studies there is a correlation between pain and psychological state (3). There is no study which investigate factors related with fear avoidance beliefs. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of this study was to investigate factors that association with fear avoidance beliefs in ankylosing spondylitis. <h3>Methods</h3> 51 patients with ankylosing spondylitis, who applied to Rheumatology Department of Trakya University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, were included in this study. Spinal mobility evaluated by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), function evaluated by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI); disease activity defined by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). To evaluate quality of life, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) is used. The Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) is used to evaluate the fears, beliefs, and avoidance behaviors of patients with AS in relation to physical and work-related activities. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is used for evaluate the functions of mobility. C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR) were saved. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 51 patients included, 12 (23,52%) were female and 39 (76,47%) were male. There was no meaningful statistical difference in FABQ scores between active and inactive disease groups.Physical activity subscale score of FABQ was associated with age (r=0,355, p=0.014), ESR (r=-0.361 p=0.042), quality of life (r=0.428, p=0.0002), BASFI scores (r=0,287, p=0,041), intermalleolar distance,which is BASMI9s subscale and assess hip mobility (r=-0,452, p=0,002) and SPPB (r=-0.303, p=0,041). Work subscale of FABQ was associated with age (r=0,353, p=0,015), ASQoL (r=0.461, p=0,001), intermalleolar distance (r=-0,457, p=0,002). <h3>Conclusions</h3> There is an association between fears, beliefs, and avoidance behaviors of patients with AS in relation to physical and work-related activities and mobility function, quality of life, hip mobility. So we think preserving and developing techniques of mobility function will play a role AS treatment plan. And also we think new researches which investigate factors about fear avoidance beliefs in AS should be done. <h3>References</h3> J. Martindale, J. Smith, C. J. Sutton, D. Grennan, L. Goodacre,J. A. Goodacre. Disease and psychological status in ankylosing spondylitis.Rheumatology 2006;45:1288–1293 Vergara M.E, O9Shea FD, Inman RD, Gage WH. Postural control is altered in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Clin Biomech 2012 May;27(4):334–40. Aydog E, Depedibi R, Bal A, Eksioglu E, Unlü E, Cakci A. Dynamic postural balance in ankylosing spondylitis patients. Rheumatology. 2006 Apr;45(4):445–8. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared