Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Is Pain a Determining Factor for Muscle Function and Functionality Impairments in Elderly Women with Knee Osteoarthritis?

Carina Junqueira Cervato, Roberta de Matos Brunelli Braghin, Renato Campos Freire Júnior, Elisa Cavalheiro Libardi, Marcello Henrique Nogueira-Barbosa, Patrícia Silva Tofani and Daniela Cristina Carvalho de Abreu

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA), is the most frequent joint disease, when is symptomatic, joint pain, lower muscle strength and functionality are observed, but symptoms are not always related to the performance of muscle, than the aim of the present study was to evaluate the muscle function, functionality and pain in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to determine if the pain is an important factor for impairment of both muscle function and functionality in this population.

Methods: Thirty-four ageing women were divided into symptomatic (n=17) and asymptomatic (n=17) groups. All participants answered the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire (WOMAC) questionnaire, and those who had a zero score on the pain and stiffness of WOMAC sections were allocated in asymptomatic group. Muscle function (strength and endurance) of knee extensor was assessed by isokinetic dynamometer, and functionality was assessed by 5-repetition chair stand test (5 × STS). General linear model multivariate and univariate were used for comparison between groups, and adjusted model for age and BMI was applied.

Results: Difference between groups was observed to muscle function, showing that asymptomatic group presented better performance to both strength and endurance than symptomatic group. Regarding the 5 × STS, there was no difference between groups.

Conclusion: The worse performance to muscle function of knee extensor among symptomatic group suggest that the pain affect negatively both strength and endurance of knee extensor, however, the presence of pain did not influence the functionality performance.