Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>Self‐management programs have demonstrated significant health benefits in people with musculoskeletal diseases.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aim</jats:title><jats:p>To examine the benefits of a tailored ankylosing spondylitis self‐management program (ASSMP) delivered by trained health professionals for people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) relative to health status, quality of life and disease activity.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>ASSMP was developed within a continuous quality improvement framework following a needs assessment and focus group discussions. Formal feedback from the group after each 6 week program cycle group by questionnaire helped refine the ASSMP. Patient health status, quality of life and disease activity were assessed at multiple time points up to 12 months.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Fifty‐five percent were female; mean age 48.5 ± 15.2 years. Median time to AS diagnosis was 4 years (interquartile range: 1‐10). AS disease activity Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global Score scores improved at 3, 6 and 12 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < .001). Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index improved at 6 weeks and was sustained at 3, 6 and 12 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < .001). The Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life improved at 3, 6 and 12 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < .001). Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index improved by 12 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < .001). Participants reported less nocturnal back pain at 6 months and was sustained at 12 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < .001). Patients Global Disease Activity improved by 6 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = .012), Multi‐Dimensional Assessment of Fatigue and a Global Fatigue Index at 6 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = .003), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ‐ Anxiety at 12 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = .001), Evaluation Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life at 6 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = .001) and Pain Self‐Efficacy Questionnaire at 12 months (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = .002).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>This ASSMP demonstrated significant and sustained benefit in symptoms, disease activity measures and quality of life in a condition that results in significant impairment, disability and poorer quality of life. The cost effectiveness and benefit of this program should be tested.</jats:p></jats:sec>