Abstract:
Introduction: Patients with knee osteoarthritis have the symptoms that often are debilitating
and causing physical impairment, can affect the psychosocial wellbeing of the patient. The impact
of knee OA on patient’s lives has not been well studied in developing countries.
Purpose and objectives: Of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (QoL)
and burden in patients with OA in Republic of Moldova.
Materials and methods: This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional, nonrandomized, with
subjects stratified according to disease severity based on functional limitation and absence of joint
prosthesis. Subjects were recruited from primary care and rheumatology. There were 256 patients
whom fulfill the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for OA in the knee. A
questionnaire embrace information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, function
limitation, use of health and social services, and effect on occupation and living arrangements over
the previous 12 months. The costs were calculated as direct and indirect. The QoL was assessed by
KOOS - Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. This study was conducted according to the
principles o f the Declaration of Helsinki (1996) and good clinical practice.
Results: There were 256 patients integrated in the study including 196 females and 60 males,
mean age 64.9 ± 0.6 years (range 37 to 82 years). Disease duration 8.1 ± 0.02 years (range 1- 51).The KOOS results showed that the QoL - 35.7% qualified as low. OA affected family or close
relationships in 66%. The level of activity in daily living was 44.0% lower that the level of pain
with 57.1% or other symptoms - 64.9%. The average cost excluding joint replacement was $685,
the direct costs 71.04% from them (mean $485) per person per year and indirect costs - 29%
($190). The direct costs are comparable to those reported in Western countries; however, the
insurance cover just 50.7% from direct costs.
Conclusion: Patients with knee osteoarthritis have impaired QoL as well as substantial socioeconomic burden attributable to disease. The economic impact of OA is largely placed on the
patients, they having relatively high out-of-pocket expenditures.
