Influence of gender on pain, quality of life, and physical activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain which contributes to adults’ disability. Females have an increased risk of knee osteoarthritis. However, little is known about the gender influence in pain perception, quality of life (QOL), and physical activity. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the influence of gender on pain perception, QOL, and physical activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis. A cross-sectional study design with a total of 186 patients(mean age of 56.64 ± 6.49) with knee osteoarthritis were recruited. Pain intensity, level of physical activity, and QOL of patients were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Among the studied patients, 52% of patients with knee osteoarthritis had a relatively low level of physical activity with females representing the majority of them. Lower mean was observed in QOL and physical activity whereas pain intensity was higher in females compared to males (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation demonstrated a strong negative correlation between physical activity and pain (r = -0.77, n = 186, p <0.01), and a weak correlation exist between physical activity and all domains of QOL except for the functional capacity and body pain. Majority of female participants with knee osteoarthritis exhibit poor QOL, physical activity, and increased pain intensity as compared to males. Clinicians need to be aware of the influence of gender in treating patients with knee osteoarthritis.