THE IMPACT OF LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS ON QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Background: Lateral epicondylitis is a work related disorder which is considered to be due to over-use or over-stress of the wrist extensors of the forearm. The patient suffers from pain and decreased function which affects the basic activities in daily life. This reduction in function leading to disability may affect the quality of life as it includes items related to self care, usual activities, emotional problems, pain etc. The present study was conducted to study the impact of Lateral epicondylitis on quality of life. Methods: 52 subjects diagnosed with Lateral epicondylitis were included in the study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Outcome measures were: pain using Visual analog scale, functional disability using Patient rated tennis elbow evaluation and health-related quality of life using Short Form 36. Results: A significant positive correlation was found between pain and functional disability (p<.001). A significant negative correlation between pain and physical (p=.014) and mental (p=.052) component summary scores of quality of life was found. A significant negative correlation was found between functional disability and physical (p=.002) and mental (p=.015) component summary scores of quality of life. Also a significant correlation was found between physical and mental component summary scores of quality of life (p<.001). Conclusions: Significant correlation was seen between pain, functional disability and quality of life. This suggests that with an increase in severity of pain there is increase in functional disability with lower QOL both physically and mentally.

Keywords

• Lateral epicondylitis
• Tennis elbow
• Quality of life
• Functional disability
• Pain