Health-related quality of life and costs in patients with osteoarthritis on waiting list for total knee replacement

Summary Objectives To determine: (1) health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with severe osteoarthritis (OA) on a waiting list (WL) for total knee replacement (TKR) and to compare it with general Spanish reference population values (RPVs); (2) the influence of sociodemographic and clinical variables on HRQL dimensions and (3) the use and cost of resources related to knee OA. Methods Cross-sectional study. HRQL was measured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Medical Outcomes Study 36 Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires. Sociodemographic and disease characteristics, body mass index, pharmacological treatment and the cost and use of economic resources related to knee OA during the 6-months previous to baseline were recorded. Relationships were analyzed using linear regression models. Results One hundred consecutive outpatients (71 female, mean age 71±6.89 years, mean disease duration 11.84±10.52 years) were included. Patients showed worse HRQL measured by SF-36 than the reference population, mainly in physical function, physical role and bodily pain dimensions ( P Conclusions The HRQL of patients on a WL is worse than that of the reference population. The main costs of these patients were on non-medical resources, mainly due to functional limitations and loss of autonomy. The results suggest little compliance with knee OA management guidelines.