Kaitlyn D’Onofrio

DocwireNews

Patients with <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/cardiology-picks/nsaids-may-increase-hypertension-risk-in-ankylosing-spondylitis/">ankylosing spondylitis</a> (AS) could benefit from smoking cessation, according to a study.&ldquo;Previous studies in AS patients have found smoking to be associated with increased disease activity, poorer quality of life, and increased functional disability,&rdquo; wrote the researchers. &ldquo;One study demonstrated that smoking causes progression of structural damage in axial spondyloarthritis, another study established its association with not only progression but also pathogenesis. Smoking intensity can also be a major risk factor for AS.&rdquo; In this study, the researchers analyzed the impact of quitting smoking on patients&rsquo; disease activity, psychological state, physical mobility, lung function, and quality of life.The longitudinal, single-blind, controlled, observational study study appeared in the October issue of <a href="https://journals.lww.com/jclinrheum/Fulltext/2019/10000/How_Does_Smoking_Cessation_Affect_Disease.3.aspx">JCR: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology</a>.A total of 92 patients were evaluated using a pulmonary function test, <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/rheumatology-picks/anti-tnf-withdrawal-ankylosing-spondylitis/">Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)</a>, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, chest expansion, Short-Form 36 (SF-36), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL). Patients were stratified by smoking status (smokers, group 1, n = 54; nonsmokers, group 2, n = 38). The smoking group was further stratified by those who did (group 1a, n = 17) and did not (group 1b, n = 37) quit smoking. Baseline and six-month data were compared for groups 1a and 1b.<h2>Smoking Cessation Improves Symptoms, Quality of Life</h2>After six months, no significant differences were observed between groups 1a and 1b, except BASDAI, which was significantly lower in group 1a than 1b (P = 0.02). From baseline to six months in group 1a, significant improvements were observed in BASDAI (P = 0.001), BASFI (P = 0.001), chest expansion (P = 0.001), and ASQoL (P = 0.003), as well as subparameters physical function (P = 0.015), physical role strength (P = 0.05), power/live/vitality (P = 0.025), social functioning (P = 0.039), pain (P = 0.036), and general health perception (P = 0.05) of SF-36. Forced expiratory volume in the first second and forced vital capacity also significantly improved at the six-month mark (P = 0.003 and P = 0.007, respectively).&ldquo;In conclusion, we observed significant improvements in disease activity, physical mobility, and quality of life, as well as improvement in lung functions in AS patients who quit smoking,&rdquo; concluded the study authors. &ldquo;Based on the results of this study, smoking cessation in AS patients helps to improve treatment outcomes.&rdquo;

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Quitting Smoking Improves Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms

Rheumatology

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) could benefit from smoking cessation, according to a study. ...

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