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Impact of peer‐led group education on the quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Author(s) -
Kaya Taciser,
Goksel Karatepe Altinay,
Atici Ozturk Pinar,
Gunaydin Rezzan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.12256
Subject(s) - medicine , ankylosing spondylitis , depression (economics) , quality of life (healthcare) , peer education , physical therapy , intervention (counseling) , gerontology , health education , psychiatry , nursing , public health , economics , macroeconomics
Objectives To determine the effect of peer‐led group education on the quality of life and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ). Methods Eighty patients with definite AS were allocated randomly to either the education or control group. The education group ( n = 40) was subjected to a peer‐led group education program about disease and was given an educational booklet, while the control group ( n = 40) was given the educational booklet only. Levels of quality of life and depression were measured at baseline, immediately after education (fourth week) and at 6 months in both groups. Results The results are based on 56 ( n = 27, education group; n = 29, control group) patients. The level of quality of life and depressive symptoms were not changed except for a deterioration in the social functioning subgroup of Short From ( SF )‐36 in both groups. When the groups were compared, there were no significant differences between changes in social functioning scores. Conclusions Peer‐led education did not alter quality of life levels and depression scores. However, because of the maintainance of quality of life levels, this type of intervention may be considered as a supplementary intervention to the standard medical care for management of AS .