ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF OSTEOARTHRITIS AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS

Abstract

Aim: To assess the knowledge and of elderly patients regarding Osteoarthritis (OA).Sample and setting:
Consecutive sample of 55elderly patients attending the rheumatology and rehabilitation outpatient clinic of
Al-Qasr Al-Aini Hospital were included in the studyTools:two tools were used, first a structured
sociodemographic tool, Second, a customized version of the Osteoarthritis Knowledge Questionnaire
(PKQ-OA) was employed..Statistics:Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine relationships
between the PKQ-OA mean score and personal data. Analysis of variance was used to determine the
differences between demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic variables (ANOVA).Results: A total of 55
OA elderly were included and fitted to the study. The mean PKQ -OA score was 15.48 ± 4.05,a
maximumof 30. Average ratings were found in all domains, however the combined protection/energy
conservation domain had the lowest.. PKQ-OA showed a negative correlation with age (r =-0.63) and a
positive correlation with the level of education(r = 0.05). The PKQ-OA showed no correlation with gender,
but PKQ-OA increases in married elderly and diploma elderly. Conclusion: The elderly with OA had
average disease-related knowledge level.Recommendation: Based on thecurrent study's findings, it was
recommended to conduct training programs for elderly patients with OA to improve their knowledge of the
disease, resulting in better disease control.