Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects the quality of life (QOL) of elderly people; this study examines the demographic characteristics and QOL of patients with knee OA and identifies demographic characteristics that affect the QOL of these patients. In this cross-sectional study, 30 healthy controls and 60 patients with mild-to-moderate bilateral knee OA aged between 55 and 75 years were enrolled. All participants completed a questionnaire containing questions on 10 demographic characteristics and the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and their QOL scores in the eight dimensions of the SF-36 were evaluated. In the OA group, significant correlations were observed between monthly disposable income and physical and mental health components. Monthly disposable income was found to considerably affect the QOL of patients with bilateral knee OA (i.e., it is a crucial factor affecting these patients). The findings of this study may provide a reference for formulating preventive strategies for healthy individuals and for future confirmatory research.
Highlights
The increase in the aging population globally has led to an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA), dementia, stroke, and coronary heart disease, among older people [1]
The results of our study revealed that a higher proportion of older patients with knee OA had a lower monthly disposable income, lower educational level, and fewer insurance policies (Table 1)
Most of these patients were widowed. This finding is in accordance with that reported by Jiao et al [28], who indicated that long-term married participants had a higher income, more satisfactory healthy habits, and a higher quality of life (QOL) than did widowed participants
Summary
The increase in the aging population globally has led to an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA), dementia, stroke, and coronary heart disease, among older people [1]. OA is a degenerative and progressive joint disease that mainly involves weight-bearing joints, such as the hip, knee, and ankle joints, and it is considered one of the leading causes of lower limb disabilities in older people [2]. By 2025, the worldwide prevalence of age-related knee OA is estimated to increase by 40% [5]. It is estimated that about 10% of the population over 60 years of age complain of knee pain, disability, functional impairment, and a corresponding diminished quality of life (QOL) [6]. Discomfort and limited range of motion worsen the QOL of older people with knee OA
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