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Quality of Life Issues in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Financial Burden for Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may incur significant medical costs that are often unexpected. Data from a study conducted in Denmark estimated additional costs to include:
- 33% additional costs for hospitalizations
- 30% additional costs for medications
- 8% additional costs for physician visits
- 27% additional costs for other services such as physical therapy
Because the majority of patients with ankylosing spondylitis remain employed and their functional disability is usually limited, the actual outlay of extra finances is lower for patients with ankylosing spondylitis than for some other rheumatological conditions.
