Hausärztliche Versorgungsqualität und Lebensqualität aus Sicht älterer Patienten mit Gon- und Coxarthrose

Background A central role in the care of patients with osteoarthritis has the family practice. The aim of this analysis is to assess the association between the quality of family practice care from the osteoarthritis patients' perspectives and their health-related quality of life, disease-specific symptoms, and physical function. Method 111 patients suffering from cox- and/or gonosteoarthritis at the age of 65 or older had been recruited from family practices in Saxony and Bavaria. The participants received a paper-based questionnaire that assessed their sociodemographic data, the patients' level of depression (PHQ-9), physical activity, health-related quality of life (EQ-5D with EQ-VAS), as well as the quality of care in family practice from the patients' perspectives (PACIC short form). Furthermore, disease-specific symptoms (pain, stiffness) and physical function of patients with osteoarthritis were investigated (WOMAC). The analysis was performed with multiple linear regression models. Results A greater extent of depression was associated with stronger pain (beta=0,378; 95% CI [0,180; 0,576]), more stiffness of the joints (beta=0,223; 95% CI [0,135; 0,310]), and worse physical function (beta=1,628; 95% CI [0,908; 2,348]). The analysis also showed that older (beta=-0,901; 95% CI [-1,705; -0,097]), more depressive (beta=-1,654; 95% CI [-2,820; -0,488]) osteoarthritis patients were associated with a lower health-related quality of life. A statistically significant association between the quality of family practice care from the patients' perspectives and their health-related quality of life, disease-specific symptoms, and physical function could not be detected. Conclusions Previous literature provides evidence for an association between the quality of care of patients with a chronic illness and their quality of life or other health outcomes. The results of this research work did not align with these findings. Since depression was associated with decreased health-related quality of life and more severe complaints of patients suffering from osteoarthritis, potential depressive comorbidity should not be disregarded in the health care of this patient group and should be treated if necessary.