Healthcare Utilization and Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms among Urban Older Malaysian

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic disorder in the older population. While timely management is important to minimize the consequences of knee OA, information on the utilization of healthcare services among this population remains limited. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the healthcare utilization and its associated factors in older persons with knee OA. Cross-sectional data from 1073 participants aged 60 years and above from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study were included. The utilization rate of healthcare services was quantified. Factors related to the utilization of healthcare services were determined using logistic regression analysis. Healthcare utilization among participants with knee OA was significantly higher than those without knee OA (p < 0.01). Outpatient usage was higher (p < 0.01) in comparison to inpatient and pharmacotherapy. Being married and having an income were significantly associated with seeking outpatient care (OR: 11.136, 95% CI: 1.73–52.82, p < 0.01) and pharmacotherapy (OR: 10.439, 95% CI: 1.187–91.812, p < 0.05), while females were less likely to utilize inpatient care services (OR: 0.126, 95% CI: 0.021–0.746, p < 0.05). The higher rate of healthcare utilization among older persons with knee OA indicates the increased healthcare needs of this population, who are commonly assumed to suffer from a benign disease.

Associations between biopsychosocial factors and transportation patterns of older adults residing in Klang Valley, Malaysia

“…In a recent review regarding older adults’ health care access issues in Southeast Asia, high transportation cost and low social/family support were two factors highlighted as barriers to health care ( 23 ). It is also noteworthy that older adults with spouses are more likely to access healthcare, compared to those who are alone, as shown in a local study examining factors associated with healthcare access ( 20 ). This highlights the crucial informal support from family in meeting older adults’ healthcare needs.…”

“…Moreover, older adults’ need to access transportation for healthcare services increases with age ( 4 , 20 ). On average, older Malaysian adults reportedly visit a hospital as outpatients for 5.92 visits per year ( 21 ).…”

Enablers and Barriers of Accessing Health Care Services among Older Adults in South-East Asia: A Scoping Review

“…In Malaysia, older adults can assess public health services with little cost. Moreover, the nominal fee is subsidized for government pensioners and employees [ 41 ]. However, older adults with lower socioeconomic status may still be unable to afford these services [ 42 ].…”

Impact of diabetes mellitus on osteoarthritis: a scoping review on biomarkers

“… 4 ). Moreover, late diagnosis of OA among those with severe disease, at a stage when OA management becomes more complicated is common (Refs 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ). Established risk factors for the development and progression of OA include increasing age, female, history of trauma and obesity (Ref.…”