The effect of continuous care on self-management and disease activity of patients with ankylosing spondylitis after discharge

Abstract

Objective: To examine the impact of continuous care post-discharge on self-management and disease activity in patients
with ankylosing spondylitis.
Method: The study was conducted at Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China, from January 2021 to August 2023, and
comprised ankylosing spondylitis who were divided into control group A receiving routine care, and experimental group B
receiving continuous care. Data on demographics, outpatient follow-up visits, self-management, and exercise compliance
were collected and compared between the groups. Data was analysed using SPSS 25.
Results: Of the 78 patients, 39(50%) were in group A; 21(53.8%) males and 18(46.2%) females with mean age 37.36±9.48
years. There were 39(50%) patients in group B; 20(51.3%) males and 19(48.7%) females with mean age 39.56±12.04 years
(p>0.05). Post-intervention self-management and quality of life scores were significantly better for group B compared to
group A (p<0.05) The intergroup difference in terms of medication adherence at 8 weeks after discharge was significant
(p<0.05).
Conclusion: Continuous care positively impacted outpatient follow-up frequency, self-management, medication
compliance, exercise compliance, and quality of life.
Keywords: Continuing care, AS, Self-management, Disease activity, Quality of life.