INVESTIGATION OF CLINICAL FACTORS AFFECTING PERCEIVED PAIN INTENSITY IN FEMALE PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to identify the clinical variables influencing perceived pain intensity at rest, during activity, and at night in female patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Method: One hundred-six female patients with knee OA (mean age, 58.50±9.48 years; mean BMI, 30.73±5.53 kg/m2) were included. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), active range of motion (AROM), strength of the iliopsoas, gluteus medius, quadriceps femoris, and hamstring muscles, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Short Form-12 (SF-12) were outcome measures. A multivariate or univariate regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the VAS ratings and AROM, muscle strength, WOMAC, SF-12, and Kellgren-Lawrence classification. Results: The mean values for VAS-rest, VAS-activity, and VAS-night were 3.02±2.32, 6.62±1.96, and 3.89±2.72, respectively. A significant correlation was found between VAS-rest and quadriceps femoris muscle strength, as well as the WOMAC score. Similarly, VAS-activity showed a significant association with hip flexion and knee extension AROM, quadriceps femoris muscle strength, Grade 3 or Grade 4 OA, physical component score of SF-12, and WOMAC score (p<0.05). There was also a significant association between VAS-activity and age (?:-0.194, 95%CI:-0.043 - 0.021, p=0.04). Conclusion: The quadriceps femoris muscle strength and functional level of the patients with knee OA significantly predict both pain intensity at rest and during activity. In addition, pain intensity during activity was found to be associated with hip flexion and knee extension AROM, Kellgren-Lawrence grading, the physical component of quality of life, and age.