Physical activity among patients with knee osteoarthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of physical activity among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A total of 55 patients, aged 40 to 69 years, diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis based on the criteria set by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) or Kellgren and Lawrence classification, were included in this study. These patients were seen at the diagnostic center of the Souss Massa University Hospital for rheumatology consultation. Pain levels were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while knee osteoarthritis severity was evaluated using the Western Ontario McMaster University of Osteoarthritis score (WOMAC). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version was used to assess physical activity levels.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.6 +/- 7.2 years, with a majority of females (90.9%, n=50). The average body mass index (BMI) was 31.3 [24-39], indicating obesity in 92.3% (n=48) of the patients. The mean duration of osteoarthritis progression in the study population was 6.3 +/- 6.5 years. Radiographic analysis revealed stage II knee osteoarthritis in 38.2% (n=13) of the patients and stage III in 29.4% (n=10).
No significant difference in VAS scores was observed between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. The average WOMAC score was 52.2 +/- 18. The mean IPAQ total activity score was 1357 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-min/week, and patients spent an average of 342 minutes per day in sedentary activities. Regarding physical activity levels during the past 7 days, 58.2% of patients engaged in moderate activity, 36.4% had low activity, and only 5.5% reported intense activity.
Conclusion: Among the study participants, 52.7% of women and 5.5% of men were classified as having moderate physical activity levels. In univariate analysis, the WOMAC score was found to be the only factor significantly associated with the level of physical activity measured by the IPAQ categorical score (intense, moderate, low activity). A positive and statistically significant correlation (p<0.001) was observed, indicating that as the WOMAC score increased, physical activity levels decreased.