Nutritional Status and Assessment of Osteoarthritis among Selected Geriatric Patients in Dhaka City

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability and a degenerative disease that worsen over time. This disease affects the knees, hips, hands, big toe and spine. A whole-joint condition, Pain, discomfort, and a lower quality of life can result from cartilage breakdown and inflammation. Malnutrition or poor diet is associated with osteoarthritis. Objective: To find out nutritional status & assessment of osteoarthritis among selected geriatric patients in Dhaka city. Methods: The study was conducted among old osteoarthritic population attending different hospital. A total of 311 geriatric individuals were interviewed. Data was gathered using pretested questionnaire. Standard methods to measures pain, stiffness, difficulties namely WOMAC and to assess nutritional status mini nutritional assessment (MNA) method was used. Results: Among 311 respondents, 83.2% belong to 60-69 years. Sixty-four percent of the respondents were female and 36% were male. Regarding the educational level, highest (33.1%) respondents had passed primary level. Half of the respondent were housewife (50.8%) followed by retired person (16.4%), others (10.2%) respectively. Among study participant, 69.5% had low middle income (9622-37,963Tk). The highest 56.5% respondent were financially dependent on others and the majority of the respondents 97% were staying with relatives. Only 23 respondents (7.4%) received pensions. 65.2% reported a history of trauma and 55.9% had history of lost weight. The majority of respondents had diabetes (72.3%), hypertension (63.3%) and heart disease (19.9%) when it came to chronic conditions. Ninety-one percent of respondents went to a government hospital, 54% of the respondents undergo routine medical examinations. The existing healthcare system was rated unsatisfactory by 53.3% of respondents, 32 percent of the respondents said they didn't take recommended medications because they thought they were high priced, not useful, and couldn't be found at a local drugstore. As per the WOMAC distribution of pain scores, the severe pain score 48% was followed by the extreme 26%, the moderate 23%, and the slight 3% (under medical treatment) . In terms of stiffness and difficulty performing daily activities (DPDA), 67% respondents were suffering from extreme stiffness. WOMAC index mean with SD was 68.717±10.01. 12 According to total MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment) score around half of the respondents 181(58.2%) were at risk of malnourished, 97(31.2%) normal and 33(10.6%) were malnourished. Age group, gender, marital status, educational status, occupation and financial dependency were found to be significantly associated with nutritional status. The relationship between the WOMAC score and risk factors, such as co-morbidities, revealed that a history of trauma, diabetes, CNC issues, and a sedentary lifestyle were substantially related to the WOMAC score. Conclusion: The majority of respondents in this survey were housewives. It suggests that OA affects housewives more severely. Patients who were dependent on family (63%) were more at risk of malnutrition than independent respondent (47.1%). Religion, educational status, occupation, financial dependency and income were found to be significantly associated with WOMAC score.