title: Impact of peer-led group education on the quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of peer-led group education on the quality of life and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients with definite AS were allocated randomly to either the education or control group. The education group (n = 40) was subjected to a peer-led group education program about disease and was given an educational booklet, while the control group (n = 40) was given the educational booklet only. Levels of quality of life and depression were measured at baseline, immediately after education (fourth week) and at 6 months in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results are based on 56 (n = 27, education group; n = 29, control group) patients. The level of quality of life and depressive symptoms were not changed except for a deterioration in the social functioning subgroup of Short From (SF)-36 in both groups. When the groups were compared, there were no significant differences between changes in social functioning scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer-led education did not alter quality of life levels and depression scores. However, because of the maintainance of quality of life levels, this type of intervention may be considered as a supplementary intervention to the standard medical care for management of AS.
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Taciser
authors: T
authors: Kaya
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Altinay
authors: A
authors: Goksel Karatepe
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Pinar
authors: P
authors: Atici Ozturk
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey.
authors: Rezzan
authors: R
authors: Gunaydin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010379:Peer Group; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012919:Social Behavior; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
keywords: ankylosing spondylitis; peer education; quality of life