Factors that modify the association between knee pain and mobility limitation in older women: the Women's Health and Aging Study

Abstract

Objective-To investigate the influence of pain severity, knee extensor muscle weakness, obesity, depression, and activity on the association between recent knee pain and limitation of usual and fast paced walking, and ability to rise from a chair. Methods-A cross sectional analysis of 769 older women (mean age 77.8, range 65-101) with physical disability, but no severe cognitive impairment. Severity of knee pain in the past month was classified as none, moderate, or severe. Mobility was measured using timed performance tests. Results-The prevalence of recent knee pain was 53% (408/769). One third of the women with pain reported it to be severe. In general, knee pain was only significantly associated with limited mobility if severe. Obesity, activity and, to a lesser extent, depression intensified the eVects of pain. Knee extensor weakness did not. Obesity was a distinctive risk factor in that it substantially increased the risk of mobility limitation, but only in women with pain. In women who had severe pain, activity (walking more than three city blocks in the past week) increased the risk of walking disability more than inactivity. Depression had a minor, but statistically significant eVect on walking ability, but not the ability to rise from a chair. Conclusion-In older women with recent knee pain, a high pain severity score, obesity, and activity are important factors that increase the risk of mobility limitation.

Relação entre intensidade de dor e capacidade funcional em indivíduos obesos com osteoartrite de joelho

“…Além da obesidade, diversos fatores podem influenciar a capacidade funcional em indivíduos com OA de joelho, entre eles a gravidade da doença 13 , a amplitude de movimento e a força muscular 14 , a idade e o sexo 15 . A intensidade de dor é um fator determinante para o relato de dificuldades 16 e pode afetar as velocidades usual e rápida de marcha 17 . A compreensão do processo de alterações funcionais na OA de joelho pode contribuir para a elaboração de medidas de prevenção e tratamento em populações de risco como os obesos.…”

Dor crônica em idosos residentes em São Paulo, Brasil: prevalência, características e associação com capacidade funcional e mobilidade (Estudo SABE)

“…Embora a dor não apareça como fator direto de dependência e morte em muitos estudos, algumas pesquisas epidemiológicas comprovaram a interferência da dor em aspectos da vida e relacionaram-na com limitações funcionais 10,11,12,13,14,15 .…”

Lower extremity strength and power asymmetry assessment in healthy and mobility-limited populations: reliability and association with physical functioning

“…The cause of the deficits in strength and power can be attributed in part to the cumulative effects of pain, disease and injury (4)(5)(6)(7). These changes may be more exaggerated in only one of the lower limbs, resulting in lower limb strength and power asymmetry (8)(9)(10)(11).…”