Nottingham health profile assessment of health-related quality of life in primary knee osteoarthritis patients: Relation to clinical features and radiologic score

Aim of the work: To evaluate the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in primary knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients and to determine its relationships with clinical and radiological measures. Patients and methods: This study included 50 primary KOA patients and 25 matched healthy controls. All were assessed by NHP-HRQoL, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain in rest and activity, 15-m walk test for physical performance and knee joint range of motion (ROM). Radiographic grading of KOA was scored using Kellgren–Lawrence (K-L) score. Results: The 50 KOA patients were 33 (66%) females and 17 (34%) males with mean age of 43.3 ± 8.6 years and BMI of 32.2 ± 3.7. The VAS at rest was 2.6 ± 2.1, during motion was 6.2 ± 2.1, the 15-m test 22.6 ± 3.6 s, ROM active flexion 122.9 ± 10.8 and in passive flexion 132.1 ± 11.1. All NPH subscales (physical mobility, pain, energy level, sleep and emotional reaction) except social isolation showed significantly higher scores in KOA patients compared to controls and tended to be higher in females. There were significant correlations between NHP subscales with age, VAS-rest, VAS-activity, knee flexion and degree of incomplete extension, walk test, also with K-L score. Conclusion: The NPH-HRQoL is affected in Egyptian patients with primary KOA and may be used as a measure to reflect pain, physical performance and radiographic severity. Physical mobility, pain, sleep, energy, and emotional reactions items were obviously reported except social isolation domain attributed to different cultures and morals of eastern communities. Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, Nottingham health profile, Health-related quality of life, Kellgren–Lawrence scor