OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of knee osteoarthritis on health-related quality of life in Quetta, Pakistan.

METHODS

A cross sectional survey was conducted in different hospitals of Quetta city, Pakistan from July to September 2019. EQ5D-3L self-administrated questionnaire was used with already diagnosed 392 patients of knee osteoarthritis and SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The majority (n=241, 61.5%) belongs to age group between 53 to 62 years, and were male (n=249, 63.5%). After checking the educational status of patients’ majority (n=90, 23.0%) had bachelors and (n=98, 25.0%) were housewives. According to the income resources majority (n=126, 32.1%) had no income, and (n=258, 65.8%) belonged to urban areas. The overall mean scores for EQ5D was 0.0504 ± 0.2560 and vas score was 54.33 ± 8.625. Major contributing factors that are significantly associated with lower HRQoL were age, gender and monthly income (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study concluded that in patients with knee OA had significantly low health related quality of life. Prevention and early intervention of knee OA in older population ought to be prioritized. Special concentration should be given to older patients, females and people with low income so HRQoL of patient could be improved and that disease could be properly managed.