Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

The Need for a Multidisciplinary Approach in Patients with Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis

Snezana Tomasevic Todorovic, Saska Cicovacki, Dunja Popovic and Fahad Hanna*

Introduction: Degenerative joint diseases (osteoarthritis) have considerable sociomedical importance due to their chronic nature, high frequency, demanding treatment and consequences they leave behind. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between knee/hip osteoarthritis and level of pain, depression and wellbeing.

Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study included patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis receiving treatment at the Clinic for Medical Rehabilitation, Clinical Centre of Vojvodina in Novi Sad, Serbia. Two sets of questionnaires were administered in the study: BPI (Brief Pain Inventory) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: A total of 60 subjects participated in this study (48 with knee OA and 12 with hip OA). Mild pain was detected in 12 patients (20%), moderate pain in 39 patients (65%), while 9 patients (15%) had severe pain. A strong pain effects were observed in 16 patients (27%). In the sample, 42 (70%) patients experienced low-level depression, and 18 (30%) patients had high-level depression.

Conclusion: A high level of depression was found in 30% of patients with hip and knee Osteoarthritis (OA). The pain effects on ADLs measured by BPI speak in favour of significant pain effects on ADLs in half of patients. Patients with a higher level of depression experience pain more intensely and encounter greater difficulties in performing activities of daily living. A multidisciplinary approach is needed when considering treatment for these types of patients.

Published Date: 2023-04-28; Received Date: 2023-03-28