The prevalence of depression and its relevance to clinical and radiological characteristics among older adults with knee osteoarthritis

In this study we assessed the prevalence of depression and its relevance to pain intensity, functional status (health related disability) and radiographic severity in older adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA).One hundred and thirtyeight elderly (sixty-five years or older) patients with knee OA and 82 age and sex matched healthy controls were included into the study. Beck depression scale was used to assess depressive disorders in all participants. The pain intensity, functional status and radiographic severity in patients were assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and Mc-Master Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system,respectively. Depression was detected in 49.3% of patients and 12.3% of controls. In patients group whose BDI scores were ≥17, the scores of VAS, WOMAC, and radiographic severity were found to be statistically significantly higher, compared to the group whose BDI scores were <17. A positive correlation was detected between BDI score and VAS, WOMAC and radiological classification scores in patients with knee OA. In linear regression analysis, the most significant determinant for the level of depression was WOMAC score. The present study shows that depression is a commonly encountered comorbidity in older adults with knee OA. The level of depression was correlated with the severity of the disorder, especially in patients whose WOMAC score was high. Therefore, coexisting depression should be taken into account in the assessment and management of older patients with knee OA.