FRI0693 RESILIENCE TRAITS IN A LARGE COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS (AS), RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) AND FIBROMYALGIA (FM)
Authors: Loren Toussaint, Niko Kohls, Christian Hanshans, Miguel Vallejo, Javier Rivera, Fuschia Sirois, Jameson Hirsch, Johannes Untner, Bertram Hölzl, Martin Gaisberger, Martin Offenbächer
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> The study of resilient traits (RT) including self-compassion, self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and gratitude has garnered the attention of investigators involved in health and healthcare research (1, 2). Little is known about such RT in patients with AS, RA, and FM. <h3>Objectives</h3> To examine patient group differences in levels and mental and physical health correlates of self-compassion, self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and gratitude. <h3>Methods</h3> We conducted an online survey with patients attending the Gastein Healing Galleries in Bad Gastein, Austria. In this health facility, approximately 12,000 patients suffering from different diseases are treated annually. Of those, 6,465 patients were invited by email to participate anonymously. Socio-demographics and health-related variables including depression, pain, and current health status were measured in all respondents. Also measures of self-compassion, self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and gratitude were administered in a subset of participants. <h3>Results</h3> In total 2,017 patients responded (=31%) of which a subset of 562 patients with AS (44%), FM (38%), and RA (18%) completed measures of RT. Sex ratio (male/female) was 52%/48%, mean age 57 (SD=11) and level of education was: Elementary School 28%, Junior High School 22%, High School 20%, College 13%, and University 17%. Across patient groups, no differences emerged in levels of self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, or gratitude (ps&gt;.30), although FM patients reported lower levels of self-compassion compared to patients with AS and RA (p&lt;.05). Self-compassion, self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and gratitude were related to depression in all three patient groups, but gratitude was the only RT that was related to depression, pain, and health across all three patient groups. <h3>Conclusion</h3> We found that only self-compassion varied across patient groups, with FM patients reporting lower levels. All RT were consistently related to depression across the three patient groups, but gratitude was also related consistently across groups to both pain and health. RT may well vary according to patient diagnoses with some traits offering more support and resilience-building to the patient than other traits. An important key for treatment support and management may be to identify which traits are most useful to encourage the development of resilience and health in specific patient groups. <h3>References</h3> [1] Sirois, F. M., Molnar, D. S., &amp; Hirsch, J. K. (2015). Self-compassion, stress, and coping in the context of chronic illness. Self and Identity, 14(3), 334-347. [2] Liu L, Xu X, Xu N, Wang L. Disease activity, resilience and health-related quality of life in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a multi-center, cross-sectional study. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2017Jul24;15(1):149. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None declared