Self-perceived Functional Disabilities due to Chronic Musculoskeletal Knee Pain among Elderly People Residing at Ahmedabad City, India: A Mixed Method Approach with a Community Perspective

Abstract

Introduction: One of the disabilities perceived by elderly people which has the most profound effect on day-to-day living is knee osteoarthritis. The present study focused on elderly people with objectives of assessing the prevalence of functional disabilities due to chronic musculoskeletal knee pain with concerned determinants. Assessment of quality of life (QoL) and exploring various perceptions regarding debility were ancillary objectives. Methodology: A cross-sectional study with a mixed method approach was conducted among elderly people at urban field practice area of one of the tertiary health-care institutes of Ahmedabad city, Gujarat. The calculated sample size of 220 was collected by systematic random sampling. A pretested, validated, semistructured questionnaire including Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis index with information pertaining to pain, stiffness, and functional disability was used to collect quantitative part. For qualitative assessment, in-depth interviews were taken using interview guide. Results: The prevalence of chronic knee pain was 70%, of which 63% had functional disability. Various determinants such as gender, age, socioeconomic class, occupation, and body mass index were found to have a statistically significant association with severity of knee pain/functional disability. Qualitative research revealed that majority of participants were dissatisfied with their current QoL, primarily due to dependent attitude for quotidian chores, while some of them perceived socially isolated due to compromised physical capacity. Acceptance for ailment with belief of “condition is common unpreventable fate in old-age” and surgical intervention with adverse/futile outcome in a few peer age-group cohorts enrooted attitude of not visiting any health-care facility among study participants. Conclusion: More than three-fifth of the study participants had severe/extreme WOMAC score which was most probable reason for perceived dissatisfied life quality. More than three-fifth of the study participants had severe/extreme WOMAC score representing reason for perceived dissatisfied life quality. Adopted common ethnicity of demeanor in routine chores found statistically significant association with functional disability, while certain beliefs were decisive for initiating or sustained treatment.

Keywords

• elderly
• functional disabilities
• knee pain