Published online Jun 19, 2024. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i6.866
Revised: April 28, 2024
Accepted: May 22, 2024
Published online: June 19, 2024
Processing time: 111 Days and 4.3 Hours
Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) frequently suffer from comorbid sleep disorders, exacerbating the burden of the disease and affecting their quality of life.
To investigate the clinical significance of serum inflammatory factors, health index and disease activity scores in patients with AS complicated by sleep disorders.
A total of 106 AS patients with comorbid sleep disorders were included in the study. The patients were grouped into the desirable and undesirable prognosis groups in accordance with their clinical outcomes. The serum levels of inflammatory factors, including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor-α and IL-1β, were measured. Disease activity scores, such as the Bath AS functional index, Bath AS disease activity index, Bath AS metrology index and AS disease activity score, were assessed. The health index was obtained through the Short Form-36 questionnaire.
The study found significant associations amongst serum inflammatory factors, health index and disease activity scores in AS patients with comorbid sleep disorders. Positive correlations were found between serum inflammatory factors and disease activity scores, indicating the influence of heightened systemic inflammation on disease severity and functional impairment. Conversely, negative correlations were found between disease activity scores and health index parameters, highlighting the effect of disease activity on various aspects of health-related quality of life. Logistic regression analysis further confirmed the predictive value of these factors on patient outcomes, underscoring their potential utility in risk assessment and prognostication.
The findings demonstrate the intricate interplay amongst disease activity, systemic inflammation and patient-reported health outcomes in AS patients complicated by sleep disorders. The results emphasise the need for comprehensive care strategies that address the diverse needs and challenges faced by these patients and underscore the potential relevance of serum inflammatory factors, health index and disease activity scores as prognostic markers in this patient population.
Core Tip: This study highlights the intricate associations between serum inflammatory factors, health index, and disease activity scores in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with comorbid sleep disorders. Elevated serum inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-1β, are linked to increased disease activity, while the health index is negatively correlated with disease activity scores. These findings underscore the complexity of managing AS patients with concurrent sleep disturbances and emphasize the need for comprehensive care strategies that integrate systemic inflammation, disease activity, and patient-reported health outcomes.