Health-Related Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthritis
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic joint pain and functional impairment worldwide, affecting mobility, social participation and psychological well-being. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this context encompasses physical function, pain levels, mental health and the ability to engage in daily activities. Diminished cartilage integrity, joint inflammation and maladaptive biomechanics contribute to pain severity, stiffness and reduced physical performance. These symptoms often coexist with comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension and depression, each exerting a cumulative negative effect on perceived quality of life. Patient-reported outcome measures—including generic instruments (SF-36, EQ-5D) and disease-specific tools (WOMAC)—have established that individuals with knee osteoarthritis consistently report lower scores across physical, mental and social domains compared with age-matched controls. Risk factors such as female sex, advanced age and higher body mass index correlate strongly with poorer outcomes. Conversely, education programmes, structured exercise regimens and weight management strategies have demonstrated improvements in HRQoL. Surgical interventions, when indicated, can yield substantial gains in pain relief and function, though outcomes vary by patient characteristics. A holistic approach addressing biomechanical, psychosocial and lifestyle factors is essential to optimise HRQoL in diverse populations.
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Health-Related Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthritis publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in health-related quality of life in knee osteoarthritis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL): An individual’s perceived physical, mental and social well-being as affected by a health condition.
WOMAC index: A disease-specific questionnaire assessing pain, stiffness and physical function in osteoarthritis.
SF-36: A 36-item generic health survey measuring eight domains of health, including physical function and mental health.
EQ-5D: A standardised instrument for measuring general health status across five dimensions and a visual analogue scale.
Kellgren-Lawrence grading: A radiographic classification system for osteoarthritis severity ranging from grade 0 (no changes) to grade 4 (severe joint space narrowing and osteophyte formation).
References
- Factors Associated with Osteoarthritis and Their Influence on Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults with Osteoarthritis: A Study Based on the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
- The impact of pain on quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study from Palestine. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2022).
- The Impact of Chronic Pain, Stiffness and Difficulties in Performing Daily Activities on the Quality of Life of Older Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022).
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