BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent form of chronic joint disease associated with functional restrictions and pain. Activity limitations negatively impact social connectedness and psychological well-being, reducing the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing information on QoL in KOA patients and share the reported individual factors, which may influence it.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review examining the literature up to JAN/2017 available at MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and PsycINFO using KOA and QOL related keywords. Inclusion criteria were QOL compared to at least one demographic factor (e.g., age, gender), lifestyle factor (e.g., functional independence), or comorbidity factor (e.g., diabetes, obesity) and a control group. Analytical methods were not considered as part of the original design.ResultsA total of 610 articles were reviewed, of which 62 met inclusion criteria. Instruments used to measure QoL included: SF-36, EQ-5D, KOOS, WHOQOL, HAS, AIMS, NHP and JKOM. All studies reported worse QoL in KOA patients when compared to a control group. When females were compared to males, females reported worse QOL. Obesity as well as lower level of physical activity were reported with lower QoL scores. Knee self-management programs delivered by healthcare professionals improved QoL in patients with KOA. Educational level and higher total mindfulness were reported to improve QoL whereas poverty, psychological distress, depression and lacking familial relationships reduce it. Surgical KOA interventions resulted in good to excellent outcomes generally; although, results varied by age, weight, and depression.ConclusionKOA has a substantial impact on QoL. In KOA patients, QoL is also influenced by specific individual factors including gender, body weight, physical activity, mental health, and education. Importantly, education and management programs designed to support KOA patients report improved QoL. QoL data is a valuable tool providing health care professionals with a better comprehension of KOA disease to aid implementation of the most effective management plan.

Background Globally, osteoarthritis (OA) is the third condition associated with disability. There is still poor treatment in OA but science holds the key to finding better treatments and a cure. It is essential to learn what’s important to patients from them to implement the most effective OA management. The OA Patients Task Force, conducted the Global OA Patient Perception Survey (GOAPPS)-the first global survey made by patients to analize the quality of life (QoL) & patient perceptions of care. The goal was to collect data on OA patients’ perception of OA to understand patients’ needs and expectations to improve OA management. Methods Observational, cross-sectional study by online survey data collection from six countries, translated into three languages. The questionnaire was comprised of 3 sections: patient demographics and clinical symptomology characteristics; relationship with physicians: perception of attention, treatment, and information provided; and OA impact on daily activity and QoL. The results of the survey were evaluated using the Limited Data Set. The survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics to characterize the patients’ answers. Additionally, Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to determine internal consistency validity. Results A total of 1512 surveys were completed in 6 countries. 84.2% of respondents reported pain/tenderness and 91.1% experienced limitations to physical activities. 42.3% of patients were not satisfied with their current OA treatment. 86% had comorbidities, especially hypertension, and obesity. 51.3 and 78% would like access to additional drug or additional non-drug/non-surgical treatments respectively. 48.2% of patients perceived their QoL to be affected by OA. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.61. Conclusions OA has a significant impact on patients’ daily activities and their desire to play an active role in managing this disease. Patients are seeking additional treatments, especially no pharmacological/no surgical treatments stressing the need for investing in clinical research, implementing OA preventive measures, and managing interventions to improve the healthcare value chain in OA.

Purpose: Globally, osteoarthritis (OA) is the third most rapidly rising condition associated with disability. Science holds the key to finding better treatments and one day a cure. Still it is essential we learn what's important to patients from the patients themselves in order to optimize implementation of better healthcare options for most effective global management of OA. Integrated people-centred health services, as defined by the World Health Organization, implies putting the comprehensive needs of people and communities, not only diseases, at the centre of health systems, and empowering people to have a more active role in their own health. Based on this definition, the International Osteoarthritis Task Force, an initiative of the Osteoarthritis Foundation International (Barcelona, Spain) and the Arthritis Foundation (Atlanta, United States) with participation from member organizations in additional countries created the Global Osteoarthritis (OA) Patient Perception Survey GOAPPS)-the first global survey of its kind to directly compare quality of life & patient perceptions of care in the same OA patient survey across languages and cultures. The goal of the survey was to help all stakeholders in OA healthcare develop a better understanding of patients' perceptions and how they may differ between cultures by collecting data on adult OA patient perceptions regarding their OA care. The survey will also collect data on patient demographics, OA symptomology, and impact of OA on daily functioning and quality of life. Understanding patients' needs and perceptions of care is the first step in optimizing global OA management. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study involving data collection through an online survey. Survey administration in each country was managed by a local Survey Coordinator who collaborated with local organizations to promote access to the registration webpage through social media promotions and by distributing brochures and other promotional materials. The original version of the survey was composed in English; the local Survey Coordinator oversaw translation into the predominant local language. Using the Limited Data Set, we used descriptive statistics to characterize responses to questions on patient perceptions regarding their OA care. The Task Force used data collected on patient demographics, OA symptomology, and impact of OA on daily functioning and quality of life to (1) segment patient perception data and (2) conduct preliminary investigation into the relationship between patient perceptions of their OA care, OA symptoms and impacts, and osteoarthritis-related QoL. Responses were collected in each participating country. The final questionnaire was divided into 4 sections. The first includes questions to measure clinical characteristics of the patient and the relationship with physicians and treatment. This was followed by a section on personal perception of attention, treatment and information received. In the last session patients were asked to evaluate their quality of life. Inc...

Background: Globally, osteoarthritis (OA) is the third condition associated with disability. There is still poor treatment in OA but science holds the key to finding better treatments and a cure. It is essential to learn what’s important to patients from them to implement the most effective OA management. The OA Patients Task Force, conducted the Global OA Patient Perception Survey (GOAPPS)-the first global survey to compare the quality of life (QoL) & patient perceptions of care across countries. The goal was to collect data on OA patients' perception of OA to understand patients’ needs and expectations to improve OA management.Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study by online survey data collection from six countries, translated into three languages. The survey was comprised of 3 sections: patient demographics and clinical symptomology characteristics; relationship with physicians: perception of attention, treatment, and information provided; and OA impact on daily activity and QoL. The results of the survey were evaluated using the Limited Data Set. The survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics to characterize the patients' answers using the IBM SPSS® software.Results. A total of 1512 surveys were completed in 6 countries. 84.2% of respondents reported pain/tenderness and 91.1% experienced limitations to physical activities. 42.3% of patients were not satisfied with their current OA treatment. 86% had comorbidities, especially hypertension, and obesity. 51.3% and 78% would like access to additional drug or additional non-drug/non-surgical treatments respectively. 48.2% of patients perceived their QoL to be affected by OA Conclusions: OA has a significant impact on patients’ daily activities and their desire to play an active role in managing this disease. Patients are seeking additional treatments, especially no pharmacological/no surgical treatments stressing the need for investing in clinical research, implementing OA preventive measures, and managing interventions to improve the healthcare value chain in OA.

Background: Globally, osteoarthritis (OA) is the third condition associated with disability. There is still poor treatment in OA but science holds the key to finding better treatments and a cure. It is essential to learn what’s important to patients from them to implement the most effective OA management. The OA Patients Task Force, conducted the Global OA Patient Perception Survey (GOAPPS)-the first global survey made by patients to analize the quality of life (QoL) & patient perceptions of care across countries. The goal was to collect data on OA patients' perception of OA to understand patients’ needs and expectations to improve OA management.Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study by online survey data collection from six countries, translated into three languages. The survey was comprised of 3 sections: patient demographics and clinical symptomology characteristics; relationship with physicians: perception of attention, treatment, and information provided; and OA impact on daily activity and QoL. The results of the survey were evaluated using the Limited Data Set. The survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics to characterize the patients' answers. Additionally, Cronbach's alpha was calculated to determine internal consistency validity.Results. A total of 1512 surveys were completed in 6 countries. 84.2% of respondents reported pain/tenderness and 91.1% experienced limitations to physical activities. 42.3% of patients were not satisfied with their current OA treatment. 86% had comorbidities, especially hypertension, and obesity. 51.3% and 78% would like access to additional drug or additional non-drug/non-surgical treatments respectively. 48.2% of patients perceived their QoL to be affected by OA. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.61.Conclusions: OA has a significant impact on patients’ daily activities and their desire to play an active role in managing this disease. Patients are seeking additional treatments, especially no pharmacological/no surgical treatments stressing the need for investing in clinical research, implementing OA preventive measures, and managing interventions to improve the healthcare value chain in OA.