Background/Aim. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the clinical manifestation of degenerative joint changes. The aim of this study
was to investigate differences in quality of life (QoL) between
patients with severe hip and knee OA. Methods. This is the
cross-sectional study of 195 patients (average age 63.2 ± 11.1
yrs), with a diagnosis of OA of the hip and knee that were assigned to receive a total hip or knee replacement. The patients
were divided into three groups in relation to localization of
OA. The first group included patients with hip OA; the second group consisted of patients with knee OA and the third
group with both hip and knee OA. Demographic and clinical
data were collected for each patient. We measured healthrelated quality of life (QoL) by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaires. Statistical significance of differences was at the level of
p < 0.05. Results. The best QoL was in the group of knee
OA (42.7 ± 11.3) and the worst in the group with both hip
and knee OA patients (35.8 ± 12.7). QoL assessed by
WOMAC score and the domain of physical function were
significantly different among three groups of patients with
OA (F = 5.377, p < 0.01 and F = 5.273, p < 0.01) respectively). Results of three multiple linear regression models
where WOMAC score was dependent variable and age, body
mass index (BMI), social class, pain, stiffness, physical function, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus were
independent variables, have shown that QoL was statistically
significantly associated with pain and physical function in the
hip and knee OA groups, whereas in the group with both hip
and knee OA patients, QoL was associated with BMI, pain,
physical function and diabetes mellitus. Conclusion. QoL of
patients with severe hip and knee osteoarthritis in relation to
localization was significantly different. QoL in severe hip and
knee OA patients was significantly associated with pain and
physical function, but in patients with both hip and knee OA
QoL was also associated with BMI and diabetes mellitus.
