Objective: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), which has an unknown etiology, is an inşammatory disorder, characterized by inşammation of the spinal joints and adjacent structures.
Methods: In this study, 60 patients from the department of physical therapy and rehabilitation with the diagnosis of AS, who were under treatment and follow-up and 50 healthy volunteers, who matched for age and gender were taken. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) were performed to both patients and control group. Psychiatric disorders were determined using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I).
Results: Compared to the control group, the anxiety and depression scores were higher and self-esteem scores were significantly lower in the patient group (p<0.05). Like all the other inşammatory chronic diseases, depression and anxiety are commonly seen in AS patients.
Conclusion: Self-esteem of these patients should be considered carefully. More studies are needed on this regard.