BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) pain is among the leading causes of disability and social isolation worldwide. Since prevalence is high, particularly in adults aged 65 or older, it represents a signi cant burden for society and national health systems. The objective of this study was to determine whether patient self-reported functioning in key domains of daily living differs by pain severity and analgesic treatment among older OA patients in Spain.
MethodsThe Spanish National Health Survey (ENSE), a large, nationally representative, cross-sectional general health survey administered by trained interviewers to 23,089 adults, was the data source. Subjects of both sexes aged 65 or older with a self-reported physician diagnosis of OA who completed the survey were analyzed. Patients were cross classi ed by pain severity (no/mild, moderate or severe) and analgesia (treated or untreated). Assessment of daily living included basic and instrumental activities of daily living and mental, social, and cognitive domains. Scores were re-scaled to a 0%-100% standardized metric (0%: no limitation [independence]; 100%: complete limitation [full dependence]).
ResultsA total of 3,526 (3,389 surveys completed [96.1%]) older adults with OA were analyzed (women 73.3%; age 77.4 [standard deviation {SD}: 7.5]). Adjusted means (95% con dence interval [CI]) scores in domains of functioning showed signi cant association with pain severity (p < 0.001) but not treatment status, except basic and instrumental activities and social functioning, with higher scores in treated patients. Limitations in patients with untreated no/mild pain versus severe treated pain were as follows: in basic activities, 6.5% (5.0-8.0) versus 31.5% (30.1-32.9); in instrumental activities, 9.