CLINICAL PREDICTION RULES FOR THE SEVERITY OF FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), is a chronic degenerative joint pathology with a global prevalence of 22.9% in individuals aged 40 and over. It is a leading cause of disability and poor quality of life worldwide due to musculoskeletal pain and functional limitations. Purpose of the study: This study aimed to investigate and identify the clinical prediction rules for the severity of functional disability in KOA. Subjects and Methods: Eighty patients with KOA from both genders were recruited for this study. Every patient has been assessed using a dynamometer to test the isometric strength of the quadriceps, hip adductors, abductors, and external rotators muscle groups. Besides, inclinometer to assess hamstring flexibility by Straight Leg Raising test, iliotibial band flexibility by Ober’s test. It was used the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC) Arabic version to assess knee functional disability and the visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure pain intensity. Results: Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the most significant predictors of severity of functional disability in knee osteoarthritis were isometric hip abductors group strength test, followed by pain intensity, then functional disability, and the quadriceps muscle strength and then the isometric hip external rotators group strength, with p-value (p<0.05); while the iliotibial band flexibility, hamstring flexibility and hip adductors group strength were insignificant predictors, with p-value (p>0.05). Conclusion: Hip abductors strength, pain intensity, functional disability quadriceps muscle strength, and hip external rotators strength are significant predictors of KOA progression. These factors should be closely monitored and targeted in clinical practice to effectively manage and potentially slow the progression of KOA. Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, Clinical prediction rules, Severity, Functional disability