Nutritional Status and Physical Activity of Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis Referred to Hospitals Affiliated to the Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder with symptoms found in hands, knees, hips, back and neck. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between nutritional status and physical activity with osteoarthritis of the knee in patients referred to hospitals affiliated with the Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Patients and Methods: The current cross-sectional research was done on 200 people selected by easy sampling and random counting, and included a group of patients and a group of healthy subjects, who served as controls (100 subjects in each group). Data were gathered by a self-made questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the chi-squared and Fisher and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: The results showed that the majority of subjects in both groups were in the age group of over 64 years. The majority of individuals in the patient group were females. The majority of subjects in the patient group commonly consumed foods from the bread and cereal group while the healthy group consumed foods from the meat and beans group. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Most individuals within the patient group used less vegetables and salads, had lighter activities in the present and in the past and had never exercised (P < 0.001). Conclusions: In our study we found a relationship between nutritional status and physical activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, osteoarthritis can probably be prevented if preventive measures are taken at an earlier age.