title: Alexithymia and Self-Esteem in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), which has an unknown etiology, inflammatory disorder, characterized by inflammation of the spinal joints and adjacent structures. It has a negatif effect on all aspects of a patients's life: Physcally, psychologically and socially. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of AS on self-esteem and alexithymia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 50 patients from the department of physical therapy and rehabilitation with the diaognosis of AS who were under traetment and follow-up and 50 healty volunteers who matched for age and gender were taken. Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) were performed to both patients and control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control group, the anxiety and depression scores were higher in the patient group and the alexithymic characteristics were significantly higher, self-esteem scores were significantly lower in the patient group (p<.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Like all the other inflammatory chronic diseases, depression and anxiety are commonly seen in AS patients. Alexithymai and self-esteem of these patients should be considered carefully. More studies are needed on this regard.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Psychiatry, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solmaz
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Psychiatry, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zerrin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Binbay
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Psychiatry, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muharrem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cidem
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Psychiatry, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sağir
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: İlhan
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Karacan
keywords: Self esteem; alexitymia; ankylosing spondylitis