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Gender differences in factors associated with low quality of life and depression in Korean patients with ankylosing spondylitis

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Abstract

Purpose

To identify predictors of low health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depression in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with a focus on gender differences.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study. Both AS-related clinical data and contextual factors were obtained. HRQoL and depressive mood were assessed by EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), respectively. Gender-stratified multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

Among 211 patients, 161 were males. Males had similar disease activity and higher radiographic damage compared with females. There was no significant difference in EQ-5D index score between genders. CES-D score was higher in females. Higher ASDAS-C-reactive protein (CRP) was associated with low HRQoL in both males (Odds ratio [OR] 4.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.42–7.46) and females (OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.02–8.48). Being employed was associated with decreased possibility of having low HRQoL in males (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16–0.95). Regarding depression, higher ASDAS-CRP (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.03–3.40), current smoking (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.09–8.15), and being employed (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.06–0.46) were associated with depression in males. For females, living with a partner was related to depression (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.93).

Conclusion

AS patients with high disease activity are likely to be suffering from low HRQoL. Both disease-related factors and contextual factors were associated with depression, and predictors showed some differences between genders. Awareness of gender differences in comprehensive assessment can lead us to better personalized management in AS patients.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the patients who participated in this study.

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This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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  1. Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea

    Bora Nam, Ji-Hui Shin, Soo-Kyung Cho, Yoon-Kyoung Sung & Tae-Hwan Kim

  2. Department of Rheumatology, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Bon San Koo

  3. Department of Rheumatology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea

    Seoung Wan Nam

  4. Department of Radiology, Kok Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

    Yoonah Song

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Nam, B., Koo, B.S., Nam, S.W. et al. Gender differences in factors associated with low quality of life and depression in Korean patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Qual Life Res 30, 2299–2310 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-021-02800-w

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