Abstract:

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is among the primary causes of chronic disability. Pain and other symptoms of OA may have an effect on function and quality of life. The study aims to investigate the relationship between osteoarthritis severity, pain, muscle strength, kinesiophobia, and quality of life in individuals with knee OA. Material and Method: 100 patients with knee OA were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the patients was 65.50±2.74 years and the mean body mass index was 27.89±1.21 kg/m2. The severity of OA was evaluated with the Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LAI). Pain levels and their effect on function were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index; functional muscle strength with the Sit-to- Stand Test (5-STS) and Stair Test (ST); kinesiophobia with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale; quality of life with the SF-12 Scale. Results: There was a weak correlation between LAI and VAS rest (r=0.34), VAS night (r=0.30), and SF-12 mental score (r=-0.20) (p<0.05). There was a moderate correlation between LAI and VAS act (r=0.40), ST (r=0.46), 5-STS (r=0.47), and WOMAC with all subparameters (r=0.57, 0.55, 0.52, 0.46, respectively), SF-12 score (r=-0.46), SF-12 physical score (r=-0.41) (p<0.05). Conclusion: As the severity of OA increases, the pain intensity increases, and the functional lower extremity strength decreases. Moreover, as the kinesiophobia level increases, the quality of life decreases. In the process of controlling the progression of OA severity, reducing pain and increasing strength might prove beneficial in diminishing the level of kinesiophobia and increasing the quality of life.

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