Disability in end-stage knee osteoarthritis
Anna-Maija Kauppila1, Eero Kyllonen, Paula Mikkonen
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. anna-maija.kauppila@oulu.fi
Disability and Rehabilitation
|July 9, 2008
Summary
Pain, BMI, and knee laxity significantly impact self-reported disability in knee osteoarthritis patients. Comorbidities and female gender also negatively affect quality of life and physical function.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Background:
- End-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) significantly impacts patient function and quality of life.
- Understanding the factors contributing to disability is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the relationship between self-reported disability and objectively measured physical function in knee OA patients.
- To identify key factors influencing disability, controlling for pain, personal characteristics, and pathophysiological elements.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 88 patients (60-80 years) undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for knee OA.
- Assessed self-reported disability (WOMAC, RAND-36), physical performance (walk test, stair climb), muscle strength, BMI, knee ROM, malalignment, laxity, and radiographic severity (Kellgren-Lawrence).
Main Results:
- WOMAC function score variance was explained by WOMAC pain, knee antero-posterior laxity, age, and BMI (54.8%).
- Self-reported function correlated with physical performance tests.
- Comorbidities, pain, and female gender negatively impacted physical performance and/or self-reported disability.
Conclusions:
- Knee pain, BMI, and antero-posterior laxity are primary drivers of self-reported disability in end-stage knee OA.
- Comorbid diseases and female gender significantly reduce health-related quality of life.
- Objective physical performance measures correlate with self-reported disability.
