Sociodemographic data, physical activity and pain intensity in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of the study was to assess the association between sociodemographic data, physical activity level and pain intensity in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Material and Method. One hundred patients (84females, 16males) with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis from selected hospitals in South Western States of Nigeria participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the demographic data of the patients. Visual analogue scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were also used to assess the pain intensity and physical activity level of the patients respectively. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Result. Results show that 50% male and 61.9% female had moderate physical activity. There was significant association between gender and physical activity (p<0.05) and there was significant association between occupation and physical activity (p<0.05). In addition, there was significant association between occupation and pain intensity (p<0.001) but physical activity has no association with pain intensity.
Conclusion. It could be concluded from the study that gender affects the physical activity level of the knee osteoarthritis patient and nature of job is associated with pain intensity but physical activity level does not affect pain intensity.

Key words:

occupation, pain intensity, gender, knee osteoarthritis