Relationship between radiological severity and physical and mental health in elderly individuals with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background This study aimed to investigate the relationship between radiological severity, as assessed by the individual grades and grouped grades (grades “0 and 1” and “2 to 4”) of the Kellgren-Lawrence scale (K&Ls), and depression symptoms, cognitive loss, risk of falls, and quality of life in relation to knee osteoarthritis, as assessed by other instruments. Methods Data recorded between 2013 and 2014 in Amparo (São Paulo, Brazil) were retrieved for analysis. A total of 181 elderly patients who had knee osteoarthritis and underwent a radiologic exam were evaluated for depressive symptoms, cognitive loss, quality of life, and risk of falls by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), timed up and go test (TUG), and Berg balance scale (BBS). For statistical analyses, Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s coefficient analysis were used. Results There was no significant relationship between the scores of the instruments investigated and the individual K&Ls grades. However, when the K&Ls scores were assessed by groups, grades “2 to 4” were associated with the worst WOMAC score and the highest frequency and risk of falls according to the BBS but not according to TUG. For the GDS and MMSE, no significant relationships with the K&Ls grades were found. In addition, the K&Ls grade was correlated with the WOMAC score, regardless of the domain. Conclusion The radiological scores of the Kellgren-Lawrence (K&L) scale were associated with poorer WOMAC and BBS scores only when the K&Ls scores were evaluated in groups, and the WOMAC score was associated with an increase in the radiological grade.

Postural Balance in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis During Stand-to-Sit Task

“…The following inclusion criteria were set for the individuals with knee OA: fulfilled with the clinical diagnosis of 2018 Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoarthritis ( Osteoporosis Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, 2018 ) and had II or III K/L grade. The K/L grade of individuals with knee OA was defined by anterior X-ray images of identified osteophytes and narrowing of the joint space in a standing position ( Ribeiro et al, 2020 ). The inclusion criteria of the control group were age-matched people without knee OA-related symptoms and any other conditions that would affect walking and postural balance.…”

Osteoarthritis Depression Impacts and Possible Solutions Among Older Adults: Year 2021-2022 in Review

“…and may be especially helpful in reducing osteoarthritis related disability, among those who are over-anxious and/ or chronically ill. In turn, therapies that foster feelings of efficacy and confidence and engage the mental and social capacities of the arthritis sufferer are expected to positively impact overall well-being, including walking ability as well as mental health status [68][69][70][71]. Educational approaches that can foster both a more positive outlook, as well as an individual's self-management capacity, may similarly heighten the life quality of the individual osteoarthritic patient who feels sad and distressed, especially those older adults with little social support or negative views, those with a family history of psychiatric problems, those with long standing medical conditions, those experiencing prolonged stress, and those with limited resources.…”

Identifying the modification factors of exercise therapy on biomechanical load in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is primarily conducted to reduce pain and improve activities of daily living; in particular, exercise therapy is strongly recommended as a means to achieve the abovementioned goals, owing to its efficacy and safety 1 . Conversely, considering that OA severity is associated with an increase in pain and dysfunction 2,3 , it is important to deal with both the factors of knee OA progression and current symptoms to prevent exacerbation in the future. Increased biomechanical loads-such as the knee adduction moment (KAM) and knee flexion moment (KFM)-are generally considered risk factors of progression based on the results of several longitudinal studies [4][5][6] .…”