Comorbidities in osteoarthritis affecting quality of life

Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered the most common disorder of the musculoskeletal system and the greatest cause of disability in both developed and the so-called emerging countries. Since the population is aging, the prevalence of OA has increased, and its consequences have a great socio-economic impact. This study is aimed at assessing the frequency of the association of comorbidities in patients, as well as the impact of such associations on the physical function of patients. The present prospective study was conducted on 100 such patients, presenting with signs and symptoms of knee OA attending Medicine and Orthopaedics OPDs in the Government Medical College, Jammu for a period of one year. All the routine investigations along with x-ray of knees were done and graded on Kellgren-Lawrence Grading Scale. Hypertension was the common comorbidity present in the study population followed by obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, etc. Majority of the patients were having two comorbidities and 82% of the patients were having, at least, one comorbidity. The presence of comorbidities increased physical disability in OA patients. The treatment of such comorbidities in OA patients would, thus, be crucial to reduce the impact on physical disability, and, consequently, enhance the quality of life of the individuals.