The aim of this study was to assess spinal mobility status and Quality of life (QoL) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and determine the relationship between spinal mobility and measures of clinical condition including QoL. A total of 74 patients with AS were included in this study. Disease specific instruments Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Bath Ankylosing Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were applied, and mobility testing: occiput-wall distance and chest expansion. QoL was assessed by the Short Form-36 (SF-36). The mean age was 48.5 years; there were significant correlations between BASMI score and age (P < 0.001), disease duration (P < 0.001), symptoms duration (P < 0.001) and BASFI (P < 0.001). BASMI was negatively correlated with SF-36 physical function subscale (P < 0.001) and general health subscale (P = 0.029). In multivariate regression analysis, BASFI score (P < 0.001) was independently associated factor with physical function domain of SF-36. This study showed that in AS spinal mobility measures are associated with physical function, general health, emotional role and mental health domains of QoL.

In conclusion, the BASFI index was associated with physical function, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality and mental health domains of SF-36 and also with the rating scale of EQ-5D.

Methods of physical therapy presented valuable supplement in non-operative treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease patients, improving their functional ability and thus postponing surgical treatment. However, further investigations including larger number of patients are needed.

Peripheral nerve blocks are safe and effective anesthesiological technique, which may reduce the mortality in patients with the hip fracture and maintain the hemodynamic stability, both during and after the surgical intervention.

The need for a reliable tool in research and evidence-based medicine is recognized in most postgraduate medical curricula in developed countries to improve teaching-learning outcomes.