Prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and health-related quality of life in stroke patients over 60 years old: A cross-sectional study using Korean national health and nutrition examination survey V

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis among stroke survivors aged over 60 years and analyzed the association between knee osteoarthritis and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in stroke survivors. Methods: We analyzed data of 287 participants who had experienced a stroke (stroke group) from the 2010–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among the participants, 65 stroke survivors also had knee osteoarthritis. We used the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire to compare the differences in HRQOL according to the presence or absence of knee osteoarthritis in the stroke group. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine associated factors affecting HRQOL in the stroke group. Results: The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis was 21% in the stroke group. The EQ-5D index score was significantly lower in patients in the stroke group with knee osteoarthritis than in those without knee osteoarthritis (adjusted mean ±standard error [SE], 0.680±0.011 for stroke with knee osteoarthritis and 0.817±0.003 stroke without knee osteoarthritis; p<0.0001). Knee osteoarthritis, age, income level, education level, smoking, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease significantly influenced HRQOL in the stroke group. Conclusion: The study results confirmed that the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis was 21% in the stroke group and that HRQOL was significantly lower among patients in the stroke group with knee osteoarthritis. These findings suggest the importance of active management of knee osteoarthritis in stroke survivors for HRQOL.