Physical Activity Associated With Knee Osteoarthritis Severity

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease causing articular cartilage damage and potentially leading to long-term disability. Physical Activity Level (PAL) is a modifiable risk factor; however, previous studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the relationship between PAL and the severity of knee OA. Objective: To determine the relationship between Physical Activity Level (PAL) and the severity of knee OA at RST Wijayakusuma Purwokerto. Methods: An analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted at RST Wijayakusuma Purwokerto involving 32 respondents selected via consecutive sampling. Physical activity levels were measured using the IPAQ-LF questionnaire, while knee OA severity was assessed based on the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. Results: Bivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between PAL and knee OA severity (p = 0.016). Logistic regression analysis showed that PAL was significantly associated with knee OA severity (p = 0.015); respondents with physical activity levels classified as "at-risk" had 9.334 times higher odds of developing severe knee OA compared to those with non-risk activity levels (OR = 9.334; 95% CI: 1.537–56.674). Conclusion: There is a relationship between PAL and the severity of knee OA. Respondents with at-risk physical activity levels have higher odds of experiencing severe knee osteoarthritis