The association between osteoarthritis (OA) and obesity can lead to a reduced functional capacity, compromising the quality of life (QoL) of the elderly.
To compare the functional capacity and QoL of obese and non-obese older adults with knee OA.
The sample consisted of 35 subjects with OA divided into two groups, obese and non-obese subjects, according to their body mass index. To assess functional capacity, performance tests such as Timed Up and Go (TUG), gait speed test, and the six-minute walk test (6 MWT) were carried out. To assess QoL, WOMAC and SF-36 questionnaires were administered. We performed descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software version 20.0.
Elderly patients with OA were divided into two groups (obese, n=16; non-obese, n=19). Socio-demographic characteristics were similar between groups (p>0.05). The obese group showed a worst performance in TUG, brisk walking speed and 6 MWT. A more severe pain was found in the following items: "performing heavy housework chores", "going down stairs", "bending to floor" and "getting up from bed" in the obese group (p<0.05). In addition, the obese group had more difficulty to perform tasks for the following items: "going down stairs", "rising from a chair", "standing" and "getting on/off toilet" (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the assessed domains of SF-36 between groups (p>0.05).
OA associated with obesity caused a negative impact on functional capacity; however, quality of life scores were low, and no difference in obese and non-obese subjects was found.