The influence of sociodemographic, clinical and functional variables on the quality of life of elderly people with total hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of elderly people with total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to investigate the relationships and influences of the sociodemographic, clinical and functional variables of these subjects. METHODS The HRQOL was evaluated by means of the Brazilian versions of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), a general instrument, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), a specific instrument. Eighty-eight elderly people of both genders with primary unilateral THA were recruited. The data were subjected to descriptive analysss, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to investigate the influences of the variables studied in the dimensions of the SF-36 and WOMAC; and the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare instrument scores between the variables. RESULTS There was a predominance of women in the study sample, and their mean age was 68.8 (+/- 7.4) years. Hip function, as assessed by the Harris Hip Score, had a significant influence on HRQOL from the perspective of both the general and the specific instruments. The use of accessories for locomotion, hip functions and satisfaction with the surgery were the main variables that demonstrated significant differences in the dimensions of the SF-36 and the WOMAC. CONCLUSIONS Investments in functional and rehabilitation programs aimed towards the peculiarities of elderly people with THA can benefit this population.