Comparison of functionality, mood, and biopsychosocial status in rheumatic patients with and without self-reported bowel problems and the evaluation of BETY’s impact on these factors: a retrospective study

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Objective This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the comparison of functionality, mood, and biopsychosocial status in rheumatic patients with and without self-reported bowel problems and the evaluation of Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı (BETY) – (Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach in English)’s impact on these factors.Methods The study included 718 patients with eight different diagnoses of rheumatism. The presence of self-reported bowel problems in rheumatic patients was assessed with item 10 of the BETY-Biopsychosocial Questionnaire (BETY-BQ), functionality with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), emotional status with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and biopsychosocial status (BPS) with the BETY-BQ. Sixty-five rheumatic patients were included in BETY group exercise sessions for 3 months, 3 days a week.Results The rate of self-reporting bowel problems in the total cohort was 61.6%. Among all BPS parameters examined, a significant difference was found in favor of rheumatic individuals who did not report bowel symptoms (p <.005). All patients included in the BETY sessions achieved improvement in all parameters, including bowel symptoms (p <.005).Conclusions Many patients suffered from bowel problems. The investigated parameters of rheumatic patients with bowel symptoms were negatively affected. BETY improved all parameters, including bowel symptoms. BPS features should be considered in disease management in rheumatic patients reporting bowel problems. BETY should be used as an exercise intervention based on the BPS model in these patients.