[Interdisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis].

INTRODUCTION

Complex pulmonary assessment related to respiratory manifestation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis may contribute to adaptation of an appropriate rehabilitation program.

AIM: To examine the relationship between lung function, exercise physiological variables and change in quality of life after rehabilitation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

METHOD: 5 patients in Seyfried's Stage 2 and 11 patients in Stage 3 underwent spinal physiotherapy, ultrasound, massage and paraffin Pack, 15 times each, followed by a high-intensity cycling 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Indexes were recorded before and after rehabilitation. Lung function with exercise physiological variables were examined after rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Both indexes showed a post-treatment significant improvement compared to the initial scores (p<0.05). These functional indices correlated with lung function at rest and physiological variables during exercise (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this study, it is possible that an initial pulmonary assessment may serve to develop a more effective program for ankylosing spondylitis. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(28), 1126-1132.