Relationship between the ability to walk long distances and to climb up and down stairs with the health-related quality of life of older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between physical capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Method A cross-sectional study was carried out, in which 67 older people (55 women and 12 men) diagnosed with KOA completed the physical function tests: Timed Up and Go (TUG); 30-second Chair Stand Test (30CST); Stair Climb Test (SCT); 40m Fast-Paced Walk Test (40FPWT); and Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). HRQoL was measured using the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyzes were used to explore the relationship between the variables. Results Patients were predominantly female, overweight, inactive, non-depressed, with bilateral KOA and in severe pain. In HRQoL, the domains showed low performance compared to healthy individuals. An association was observed between 30CST, SCT, 40FPWT and 6MWT with pain and physical function and an association of 30CTS, 6MWT with stiffness (R² = 0.064 to 0.304, p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, BMI, sex and bilateral impairment were also considered as independent variables, resulting in significant associations of the 6MWT and BMI with pain (ß[6MWT]=0.121, 95%CI 0.005 to 0.237; ß[BMI]=0.022, 95CI and sex (ß=10.724, 95%CI 2.985 to 18.463) with physical function. Conclusion The results suggests positive association between TSDE and physical function and negative associations between physical capacity on 6MWT on pain and stifness.