Investigation of thorax circumference of Ankylosing spondylitis patients in Van region with anthropometric measurements

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a progressive disease of unknown etiology and pathogenesis, which begins primarily with involvement of sacroiliac joints. With the progression of the disease, costavertebral and costatransverse joint involvement, lumbar flexion and extension limitations may also be observed. There is a limited number of studies conducted to improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation processes and quality of life in the treatment process of AS patients. Anthropometric evaluation of the effect of age and gender on thoracic circumference measurements in AS patients was aimed to provide a practical and rapid application in the organization of clinical and rehabilitation processes and to contribute to the literature. The study included 54 patients (39 males, 15 females) diagnosed with AS according to modified New York criteria.The patients participating in the study were organized according to age groups (21-30, 31-40, 41-50). Thoracic circumference of the AS patients in this study was measured by anthropometric methods using a 7mm wide non-elastic tape measure. Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis were used to evaluate the findings. In the study, thoracic circumference measurements increased with age (p˂0.05), and no significant difference was found between genders (p˃0.05). With this study, thoracic mobility should be evaluated more closely in patients over 40 years of age and rehabilitation programs should be planned specifically for AS patients in this age group.