PREVALENCE AND IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS IN PATIENTS TREATED AT THE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Early knee osteoarthritis (OA) is increasingly prevalent with a trend toward younger patients, incurring high treatment costs and significantly impairing quality of life. Understanding its clinical characteristics facilitates timely diagnosis and management, reducing disease burden through effective conservative strategies. Objective: To identify and describe the clinical characteristics of patients with early knee OA. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 62 patients seeking treatment at the Outpatient Department of Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from 2024 to 2025. Patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for early knee OA, as outlined by the 2014 Italian Rheumatological Society International Initiative, were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire. Results: Pain (87.5%), morning stiffness (100%), and crepitus during movement (85%) were typical symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, with 73.7% of patients having exhibited grade II joint damage on X-rays. The proportion of patients with restricted motion had shown mild to moderate knee flexion limitations ranging from 7.5%-35% (left) and 5%-52.5% (right), and moderate to severe knee extension limitations ranging from 15%-27.5% (left) and 20%-37.5% (right). According to the WOMAC scale, mean scores were 8.45 ± 0.96 for pain, 30.3 ± 4.82 for stiffness, 2 ± 0 for physical function, and a total score of 40.7 ± 5.5. Age over 60, manual labor, and joint crepitus during movement were associated with grade II knee joint damage on X-ray imaging. Conclusion: Early knee osteoarthritis is a significant clinical concern, particularly in high-risk groups, substantially impacting patients' quality of life. Therefore, treatment strategies should prioritize early screening and timely intervention.
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Keywords
Early knee osteoarthritis, imaging characteristics, WOMAC
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