الفهرس 
Anatomy and PathogenesisOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint disorder. It results in pain, deformities and leads to chronic disability. The burden of knee OA on individuals and health care systems is severe. Difficulties in walking, squatting and stair climbing are common complaints by patients with knee OA. These difficulties greatly interfere with the daily life activities and markedly affect the knee OA patients’ quality of life (QOL). The QOL of the patients can be assessed by different tools and surveys such as Western Ontario and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Objective was to compare the QOL between newly diagnosed knee OA patients and patients under treatment among primary knee OA patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation in Ain Shams University Hospitals. Methods: A Cross sectional study was carried out on 88 patients divided into two groups (newly diagnosed group of patients, and under treatment group of patients), each group had 44 knee OA patients, attending the outpatient clinic of the Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation in Ain Shams University Hospitals. Data was collected using a clinical sheet, SF-36 survey and WOMAC index. Results: The mean of SF-36 Score in the under treatment group was statistically significantly higher than the mean in the new cases group. (2280 vs. 984.32 respectively). The mean of (Pain) scale, (Social Functioning) scale, (Role Limitations Due To Emotional Problems) scale of SF-36 were statistically significantly higher in the under treatment group. The WOMAC index stiffness scale was statistically significantly higher in the new cases group. The new cases group had lower education level than the under treatment group. Patients under platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, intra-articular steroid injection therapy, physiotherapy and combined non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) therapy had higher levels of QOL. Conclusion: Poor QOL was evident among the newly diagnosed knee OA patients in the outpatient clinic of physical medicine, rheumatology and rehabilitation. Treatment should start at once according to the severity of the Knee OA. Treatment should include physiotherapy, combined NSAIDs, steroid and PRP injections. The new cases group had lower education level. So, health educational program targeting knee OA patients are strongly recommended.