OBJECTIVE: To assess functional balance and quality of life among patients with ankylosing spondylitis. TYPE OF STUDY: Cross-sectional. METHODS: Sixty individuals were evaluated: 30 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and 30 healthy individuals - using the Brazilian version of the Berg Balance Scale, SF-36 questionnaire for the assessment of quality of life and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. RESULTS: The score of the scale of Berg was respectively for groups EA and control of 48.83 and 55.5 with statistically significant difference. There was a positive correlation between the Berg Scale and the VAS (r = 0,469) and between this scale and the functional capacity domain of the SF-36 (r = 0,648). There was a negative correlation between the VAS and following domains of the SF-36: functional capacity (r = -0,753), physical aspects (r = -0,612), overall health (r = -0,607), pain (r = -0,827) and vitality (r = -0,532). CONCLUSION: Patients with AS exhibit worse functional balance, a poorer quality of life and more pain than healthy individuals. Poorer balance was correlated to pain and worse functional capacity.
ankylosing spondylitis; balance; quality of life
