THU0710-HPR IMPACT OF SPONDYLOARTHRITIS ON FAMILY AND SOCIAL LIFE IN TUNISIAN PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Spondyloarthritis (SA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that could significantly affects the patient’s quality of life and alter the social activities and relationship. Objectives: Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of spondyloarthritis on quality of the social and family life in Tunisian patients. Methods: This is a cross sectional study including patients with SA (ASAS criteria). A survey comprising questions about family and social relations and the impact of flare on it, were applied between November 2018 and January 2019. Demographic data, marital status, the disease activity (BASDAI and ASDAS) and the function index (BASFI) were obtained. For statistical analysis, we used Khi2-test for qualitative variables and Student-test for quantitative variables. A p value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: We included forty patients. The average age was 41 years-old (±12.9) and the sex ratio was 12.3. 60% of patients were married. The SA was axial in 25%, peripheral in 20% and both in 55%. 17.5% had psoriatic arthritis, 55% had ankylosing spondylitis and 27.5% had inflammatory bowel disease spondyloarthritis. coxitis was found in 47.4% of patients. Most of patients had a moderat activity (29.4%) and the mean activity scores were :(BASDAI =2.75±2.3, ASDAScrp=2.24±1.07), and the mean function index (BASFI) was 2.57±2.5. 57.5% of patients were on biologics (25% Adalimumab, 22.5% infliximab, 10% Etanercept). 67.5% of patients declared having difficulty in accepting their illnesses. Social relationship were deteriorated after the diagnosis of SA in: 27.5% with partners and 20% family members, 15% with friends and 20% with colleagues in work. Moreover, SA reduced the frequency of social activities like sport in 62.5%, traveling in 62.5%, cultural activities in 77.5% and sex practice in 37.5%. The impact of flares was also evaluated, the patients declared having difficulties in: crossing the street (57.5%), corporal hygiene (30%), sleeping (70%), private life (32.5%) and doing daily tasks (77.5%) and professional activity (81.8%). No significant relationship was found between social relationship and activities regarding biologic treatment (p=0.74, p=0.68). However presence of coxitis was significantly associated with a lack of friends (p=0.05), and a bad impact in the professional activities (absenteeism and drop job performance) (p=0.05) and the self-esteem (p=0.06). Conclusion: Our results suggest that family and social relations are deteriorated in Tunisian SA patients due to their illness. Moreover, coxitis has substantial impact on the self-esteem and the social life. Disclosure of Interests: None declared