Aims
This study aimed to assess the influence of pharmacotherapy on health-related quality of life of elderly with ostheoarthritis.
Methods
Longitudinal study involving 91 older adults from both genders (Age: 70.36 ± 5.57 years) from EELO project with self-reported knee or hip ostheoartritis, confirmed by radiographic analysis. Data regarding pharmacotherapy was assessed by a structured questionnaire and the quality of life was analyzed by SF-36 questionnaire at the initial moment and two years thereafter. All domains from quality of life were grouped in physical and mental components for further data analysis.
Results
A statistically significant decline in both physical and mental components of quality of life was observed (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.05). However, it was observed a slighted decline in physical components in group treated with chondroitin/glucosamine when compared to other groups, according to Kruskal–Wallis test (p = 0.007). On the other hand, it was not observed any influence of pharmacological treatment on mental components of health-related quality of life (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
Treatment with condroitin/glucosamin contributes to a lower decline in physical component while it had no influence on mental component of health-related quality of life in older adults with ostheoartritis.
Osteoarthritis; Elderly; Functional status; Functional disability; Quality of life