Health Problems and Functional Independence of Patients with Osteoarthritis

The Global Burden of Disease Study revealed that osteoarthritis of the knee and hip is now ranked as the 11th leading cause of Years Lived with Disability. [1] The aim of the study was to assess health problems and functional independence of patients with osteoarthritis attending Govt. Medical College Hospital, Kottayam. A quantitative approach was used for the study and the design adopted was non experimental descriptive survey design. The conceptual framework, Betty Neumans system model theoretically supported the study. Hundred patients with osteoarthritis knee attending Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient Departments were selected by non probability purposive sampling technique. The data were collected using socio personal and clinical data sheet and health problems of patients with osteoarthritis were assessed using rating scale. Data regarding their functional independence was collected using functional independence rating scale. Study findings revealed that, most of the patients (52 %) had moderate health problems and most of them (58 %) were fully dependent. There were no functionally independent patients within the age group of 61-70 years and 71-80 years. Percentage of fully dependent patients were high among over weight and obese patients which accounts 21 % each. Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that more than half of the patients with osteoarthritis knee suffering from moderate health problems and majority were fully dependent in daily activities, exercises and recreation activities.