Association between osteoarthritis and mental health in a Korean population: a nationwide study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease and has become a major health problem in recent years. OA causes chronic pain and disability and can induce mental disorders such as stress perception, depression and suicidal ideation. We investigated the incidence of perceived stress, depressed mood and suicidal ideation in OA patients, using the 2010-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

A total of 8271 participants were included (3580 male and 4691 female). OA patients were defined as participants with knee/hip joint pain and radiographic changes of the knee/hip joints. Mental disorders included stress perception, depression and suicidal ideation. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for mental disorders were calculated according to the OA.

In the multiple logistic regression model, compared to the non-OA group, the ORs of high stress perception, depression and suicidal ideation were 1.59 (95% CI 1.10-2.31), 1.52 (95% CI 1.01-2.29) and 1.90 (95% CI 1.33-2.72), respectively, in male, and 1.41 (95% CI 1.19-1.68), 1.27 (95% CI 1.04-1.54) and 1.49 (95% CI 1.25-1.78), respectively, in female.

OA is associated with impaired mental health. OA patients had high stress perception, depression and suicidal ideation. More numbers of male with OA had much more mental disorders than female with OA.