Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111468

Karen Briggs, MPH, MBA, Department of Clinical Research, Steadman Hawkins Research Foundation, 181 W. Meadow Dr., Suite 1000, Vail, CO 81657, 970-479-5783, karen.briggs@shsmf.org

There are many treatment pathways for osteoarthritis of the knee; however the outcome may not match the patient's expectations. The purpose of this study was to identify the expectations of treatment in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. A 20 item validated knee surgery expectation survey was completed by 130 individuals, 50 years or older, who were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. There were 54 women and 76 men with a mean age of 63 years(range 50 - 91). Results: Avoid future knee degeneration was the most common expectation rated very important(85%), followed by improve ability to maintain health(79%), have confidence in knee(69%), and improve ability to walk(69%). The least common expectation was for the knee to be back to way it was before the problem started, followed by improve ability to run. Gender was associated (p<0.05) with the following expectations: avoid future degeneration(more important to females), improve ability to do stairs(more important to females), improve ability to kneel(more important to males), and stop knee from giving way when stopping quickly(more important to males). Age was associated (p<0.05) with pain relief(more important to younger) and improve ability to participate in sport(more important to younger). Improve ability to maintain health was more important to older individuals, as was avoid future degeneration of the knee. Patient expectations are influenced by age and gender. These differences are important in clinical decision making. Further understanding of patients' expectations of treatment may improve treatment outcome and patient satisfaction.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify important expectations of individuals over 50 who are seeking treatment for osteoarthritis.
• Determine factors associated with specific expectations
• Describe how expectations might influence patient care.

Keywords: Arthritis, Outcome Measures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation