| Summary: | 碩士 === 美和科技大學 === 健康照護研究所 === 101 === This study aimed to investigate the factors related to “symptom distress” and “quality of life” in patients with Knee osteoarthritis. A correlation study designed with purposive sampling of 196 cases recruited. The research instruments include Bellamy(1988) Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index and Dr.John Wave, Jr 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The WOMAC index is utilized to assess symptom distress such as pain, stiffness and physical dysfunction derived from osteoarthritis. The scale of SF-36 is applied to measure quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis. Statistical analyses were performed under SPSS 18.0.
The results from WOMAC study indicated that osteoarthritis patients suffered a higher degree of symptom distress with correlation to aging, lower income, lack of partner, unemployment, lower level of education and mild/intermediate severity in X-ray diagnosis; while a corresponding deterioration of physical function occurred. Furthermore, factors such as aging, abnormally higher BMI , lower income, lack of partner, unemployment, lower level of education, mild and intermediate severity osteoarthritis X-ray diagnosis, absence of rehabilitation and exercise will resulted in lower SF-36 scores, which suggest a worse “Quality of Life”.
In the study of “symptoms of distress”, a strong correlation between “pain level” and “physical function” was found-the higher pain level would lead to weaker physical performance. On the other hand, the study of “Quality of life” revealed a prominent condition between “vitality” and “mental health”, it indicated patients could maintain a better mental condition, when they were in higher vitality status.
For mild degree patients, this study will render the medical staffs the relevant preventive information, reinforcing recognition of OA and the necessity of suitable exercises. In terms of the intermediate/severe patients, different therapeutic training plans should be applied. The results may provide information about “symptoms of distress” and the factors related to patients’ quality of life in order to offer appropriate care and enhance patients' quality of life.
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