title: Psychological status in Moroccan patients with ankylosing spondylitis and its relationships with disease parameters and quality of life.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, El Ayachi University Hospital, Sale, Morocco. jinaneha@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Jinane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hakkou
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rostom
authors.forename: Nawal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aissaoui
authors.forename: Kenza Rhzioual
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Berrada
authors.forename: Redouane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abouqal
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bahiri
authors.forename: Najia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hajjaj-Hassouni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*