Ab1546-HPR Psychometric Evaluation of the Serbian Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (Asqol) Questionnaire and Its Correlations With Disease Activity and Functional Status

Background: The Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire gauges the impact of ankylosing spondylitis on individuals' overall well-being, shedding light on the quality of life challenges associated with this condition. Objectives: To examine psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the ASQoL and to evaluate its correlations with AS disease activity and functional status indexes. Methods: After translation with transcultural validation and cognitive debriefing interview in 10 randomly chosen persons was successfully done, 60 patients were recruited consecutively, as they entered the Institute of Rheumatology for a regular check-up and tested in two occasions two weeks apart to evaluate the ASQoL psychometric properties. Construct validity was assessed through convergent validity, using Notthingham Health Profile as a comparator and a known-group validity by comparisons with self-perceived disease activity and overall health. Internal reliability was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. External validity was assessed by test-retest reliability. Also, correlations of the ASQoL with ASDAS, BASFI, BASDAI, respiratory index, Schober's test and SPARCC index were determined Results: There was a significant correlation between the ASQoL and NHP domains of pain (r=0.79), emotional reactions (r=0.78), physical activity (r=0.77) and energy (r=0.75). Cronbach alpha coefficents of 0.95 and 0.91 in Visit 1 and Visit 2, respectively, indicated adequate internal reliability. ASQoL showed minimal levels of random error and good test-retest reliability, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.84. Serbian ASQoL was able to differentiate between patients with varying perceived general health status (p<0.05) and disease severity (p<0.05). Statistically significant correlations between ASQoL and ASDAS, BASDAI and BASFI were also demonstrated (p<0.001), whereas correlations with respiratory index, Schober's test and SPARCC index were insignificant. Conclusion: The Serbian version of the ASQoL demonstrated excellent psychometric properties, and good corelations with disease activity and functional status indexes, affirming its validity as a reliable tool suitable for both clinical research and routine clinical usage. Figure 1. Table showcasing correlations between Serbian Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life and different Nottingham Health Profile domains, as well as results of internal and external reliability REFERENCES: NIL. Acknowledgements: NIL. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.