The effect of postural sway on balance, fall risk and quality of life in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis

This study aimed to investigate the impact of postural sway on balance, fall risk, and quality of life in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A total of 30 patients and 30 healthy individuals were included. The average age of the patient group was 38.43 ± 11.94 years, while the healthy group's average age was 38.57 ± 12.02 years. After collecting the sociodemographic data of the participants, the following assessments were conducted: postural sway was evaluated using the GYKO Microgate system, balance was assessed with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), fall risk was measured using the Falls Efficacy Scale–International (FES-I), and quality of life was assessed using the Short Form (SF-12) Quality of Life Scale. Additionally, in the AS group, disease activity severity was evaluated by a physician using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). The Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL) was used to assess quality of life, and spinal mobility was evaluated using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22. According to the study findings, a significant difference was found in BBS scores between the patient and healthy groups (p<0.05). A significant difference was also observed in FES-I scores (p<0.05). Significant differences were identified in both physical and mental component scores of the SF-12 (p<0.05). Significant differences were also found between the groups in GYKO data (p<0.05). However, no significant relationship was observed between GYKO scores and BASDAI or BASMI values (p>0.05). There was a significant relationship between the SF-12 physical score and certain GYKO sub-parameters, including total length, anteroposterior length, and velocity (p<0.05). A significant relationship was also found between the SF-12 mental score and anteroposterior length (p<0.05). A significant relationship was observed between BASDAI and FES-I scores (p<0.05), as well as between BBS and BASDAI scores (p<0.05). A significant difference was found between BASDAI and ASQoL scores (p<0.05). Lastly, a significant relationship was identified between SF-12 and BASDAI scores (p<0.05). The results of the study showed that postural sway has an impact on quality of life in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis, but not on balance or fall risk. However, individuals with ankylosing spondylitis had poorer scores in all parameters—postural sway, balance, fall risk, and quality of life—compared to healthy individuals. Since no prior studies were found investigating the effect of postural sway on balance, fall risk, and quality of life in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis, it is believed that this study will serve as a reference for future research.