Physical activity and health-related quality of life in men and women with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis before and after a supported self-management programme – a prospective observational study

Abstract

Purpose

To study differences between men and women in physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after participating in a supported osteoarthritis (OA) self-management programme.

Materials and methods

A prospective observational study using data from a Swedish National Quality Register. Patients recorded between 2008 and 2013 with hip and/or knee OA with data at baseline, at 3 and 12 months follow-up (n = 7628) were included. Outcome measures were patient-reported PA and HRQoL (EQ-5D-3L).

Results

A greater proportion of men (p = 0.002) changed to being physically active ≥150 min/week at 3 months follow-up. The proportion of women being physically active ≥150 min/week was larger than for men at baseline (p = 0.003) and at follow-up at 12 months (p = 0.035). Women reported lower HRQoL than men at baseline (p < 0.001), at follow-up at 3 (p < 0.001) and 12 months (p = 0.010). There were no differences between men and women in change in HRQoL at 3 (p = 0.629) and 12 months (p = 0.577) follow-up.

Conclusions

This study showed differences between men and women in PA and HRQoL before and after participating in a supported OA self-management programme. These differences should be considered when supporting PA and HRQoL.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Men with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA) might need more support during rehabilitation in order to maintain or even increase physical activity (PA) in the long run.

• Women with hip and/or knee OA might need more support during rehabilitation in order to maintain or even increase health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the long run.

• Booster sessions might be suggested in order to enable both men and women with hip and/or knee OA to sustain improvements in PA and HRQoL after participating in a supported OA self-management programme.

Keywords:

• Osteoarthritis
• hip
• knee
• patient education
• physical activity
• exercise
• quality of life

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge all participating patients and all physiotherapists reporting data to the BOA register, and others involved in BOA. KÅ would like to acknowledge Antonio Marañon, who provided valuable professional statistical advice, and Carina Thorstensson, for valuable input throughout the research process.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).