Evaluation of Physical Performance in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients

Overview

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can cause serious limitations in individuals' physical performance, as it involves the musculoskeletal system and can cause ankylosis and arthritis in both axial and peripheral joints. Although there are many studies showing these limitations nowadays, there is a need to show these limitations with more objective data with the new technology. Evaluating aerobic physical capacity; Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (KPET) is frequently used in physical performance analysis today. In this study, the investigators want to observe the physical performance differences between 42 AS patients and 42 control group participants by applying KPET and present the expected performance losses in AS patients in the literature with objective data.

AS is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, characterized by marked inflammation in the spinal joints and adjacent structures, leading to progressive and ascending bone fusion in the spine. Although peripheral joint involvement is less, hip and shoulder joints are kept in 1/3 of the cases. Inflammatory lesions can also be seen in extraarticular organs such as eyes and heart. Due to joint involvement, limitations in lung capacity, and other extra-articular involvements, physical performance may decrease in AS patients. Both spinal and peripheral joint involvements and pain caused by chronic inflammatory process can lead patients to a more sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, evaluation of physical performance is important in patients with AS. Although there are some methods based on classical observation in evaluating physical performance, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (KPET), where objective data about aerobic capacity can be obtained, has been used frequently in scientific studies in recent years. The data such as oxygen consumption, cardiac parameters and speed of the patient on the treadmill in KPET are analyzed numerically; objective performance values such as maximum oxygen use (VO2max), maximum heart rate, and maximum rate can be achieved. It is possible to evaluate all the individuals to whom these tests are applied according to the normal value ranges in the world more clearly in terms of their physical performance and to reshape the exercise program especially according to the missing parameter. For this reason, these methods are preferred primarily in physical performance evaluation in centers with sufficient facilities. In the literature, although subjective tests and data on physical performance decrease, studies showing clear numerical data are needed. Therefore, in our study; We aim to evaluate the physical performance of patients by applying KPET in our patients with AS diagnosis. Thus, investigators aim to reveal the physical exercise capacity that may be decreased in this patient group with objective numerical data. In addition, patients data will compare with the control group of similar physical characteristics and age.