Quality Of Life and Associated Factors in Latin American Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine whether individuals with hip osteoarthritis who undergo THA have higher HRQOL scores than those awaiting the procedure; An additional aim was to investigate associated factors exerting an impact on HRQOL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were divided into two groups: pre-THA and post-THA. Functional capacity was assessed using the Harris Hip Score, and HRQOL was measured using a validated and adapted version of the WOMAC questionnaire. A multivariate analysis of the WOMAC results was used to identify the main variables associated with HRQOL in both groups.

RESULTS

The post-THA group had higher HRQOL scores (100.4 ± 88.5) than the pre-THA group (197.8 ± 54.1). The domains Pain (68.0 ± 19.0 versus 34.7 ± 30.8), Stiffness (61.2 ± 28.9 versus 29.9 ± 33.1), and Physical Activity (68.6 ± 16.1 versus 36.6 ± 30.2) also had higher scores in the post-THA group. Pain was the variable most frequently associated with the increase in post-THA HRQOL scores. Other variables such as occupation, time of diagnosis, joint function, and body weight also had an impact on the HRQOL of both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Individuals who underwent THA had higher scores for HRQOL compared to those still awaiting the procedure. 2. Pain was the variable most strongly associated with quality of life.