Mixed-Methods Study of Disability Self-Management in Mexican Americans With Osteoarthritis

Area of Science:

• Biobehavioral health research
• Health disparities research
• Chronic illness self-management

Background:

• Mexican Americans experience significant health disparities in osteoarthritis (OA) outcomes, including functional limitations and disability.
• Self-management of chronic illness is crucial, yet self-management of function and disability in OA remains understudied.
• Addressing disability self-management is vital for improving the quality of life for OA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot test a culturally tailored measure of disability self-management for Mexican Americans with OA.
• To explore initial relationships between key variables associated with disability and function in this population.

Main Methods:

• A sequential, two-phased, mixed-methods, biobehavioral pilot study involving Mexican American adults with OA.
• Phase 1: Qualitative study to develop the Mexican American Disability Self-Management Scale using descriptive content analysis.
• Phase 2: Quantitative analysis to explore correlations between disability, function, self-management, pain, C-reactive protein, social support, and liver enzymes.

Main Results:

• The Mexican American Disability Self-Management Scale was created with 18 items.
• Disability was negatively correlated with self-management, pain, and C-reactive protein, but positively with social support and activity effort.
• Function was positively correlated with age, pain, and depression; liver enzymes correlated with pain and anxiety.

Conclusions:

• The developed scale provides a foundation for further research and culturally tailored interventions for disability self-management in Mexican Americans with OA.
• Findings underscore the complex interplay of factors influencing disability and function in this demographic.
• This study highlights the need for targeted strategies to mitigate health disparities in OA outcomes.