Influence of knee osteoarthritis on functional performance, quality of life and pain in older women

Abstract Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative disease in older people, causing pain, stiffness and dysfunction. Objective: To determine the influence of KOA on functional performance (FP), quality of life (QoL) and pain in older women. Method: This is a cross-sectional study, in which 50 older women diagnosed with KOA and 51 without KOA participated. Participants were assessed using FP tests: Sit-to-stand (STS); Gait speed test (GST); Timed Up and Go (TUG); 6-minute walk test (6 MWT) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Pain was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS); quality of life by applying the SF-36; and self-perception of the disease by using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: No intergroup statistical differences were found in the BBS (p: 0.42), STS (p: 0.59) and 6MWT (p: 0.97). However, the KOA group showed slower GS (p < 0.00) and longer time in TUG (p < 0.00). They also presented higher pain levels (p < 0.01), worse perceived health status regarding pain, stiffness and physical function (WOMAC) (p < 0.01), as well as worse QoL indices in functional capacity, physical limitations, pain and overall health status (p < 0.010). Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate that older women with KOA showed a decline in FP, QoL and higher pain levels.

【摘要引言】膝骨关节炎（Knee osteoarthritis, KOA）是老年人常见的退行性疾病，可引发疼痛、僵硬及功能障碍。
研究目的：明确膝骨关节炎对老年女性功能表现（Functional Performance, FP）、生活质量（Quality of Life, QoL）及疼痛的影响。
研究方法：本研究为横断面研究，共纳入50例确诊膝骨关节炎的老年女性，以及51例无膝骨关节炎的老年女性作为研究对象。采用以下工具对受试者的功能表现进行评估：坐站转移试验（Sit-to-stand, STS）、步速测试（Gait speed test, GST）、计时起立行走试验（Timed Up and Go, TUG）、6分钟步行试验（6-minute walk test, 6MWT）以及伯格平衡量表（Berg Balance Scale, BBS）；疼痛采用视觉模拟评分法（Visual Analog Scale, VAS）进行评估；生活质量采用SF-36量表进行测评；疾病自我感知情况采用西安大略和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎指数（Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, WOMAC）进行评估。
研究结果：两组受试者在伯格平衡量表（BBS）、坐站转移试验（STS）及6分钟步行试验（6MWT）中未观察到组间统计学差异（p值分别为0.42、0.59、0.97）。然而，膝骨关节炎组的步速更慢（p<0.00），计时起立行走试验（TUG）完成时长更长（p<0.00）；该组疼痛评分更高（p<0.01），在疼痛、僵硬及躯体功能维度的疾病自我感知健康状况（WOMAC评分）更差（p<0.01），同时在功能能力、躯体受限、疼痛及整体健康状况维度的生活质量指数均更差（p<0.01）。
研究结论：本研究结果显示，合并膝骨关节炎的老年女性在功能表现、生活质量方面均出现下降，且疼痛程度更高。