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Stanghelle B1, Bentzen H1, Giangregorio L2,3, Pripp AH4, Bergland A1
1Oslo Metropolitan University, Physiotherapy, Oslo, Norway, 2University of Waterloo, Kinesiology, Waterloo, Canada, 3Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Waterloo, Canada, 4Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo, Norway
Background: Osteoporosis represents a major health burden worldwide, and vertebral fractures are the most common type of osteoporotic fractures. Vertebral fractures may cause severe pain, loss of function and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for the individual, and economic burden for the society. A pre-existing vertebral fracture is a strong predictor for future fractures, causing further decline of health. There is a knowledge gap in the literature on the relationship between HRQoL, physical function and pain for people with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture. Knowledge of this relationship is important as we know that some of these factors are modifiable.
Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between HRQoL, physical function and pain among older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture.
Methods: This study uses cross-sectional data from the baseline measurements of a randomized controlled trial conducted in 2016-2018. 149 women above 65 years, diagnosed with osteoporosis and at least one vertebral fracture were included. HRQoL was measured by both the generic SF-36, and with the disease-specific Qualeffo-41. Physical function was assessed by Functional Reach, habitual walking speed, armcurls and 30 Seconds Sit to Stand. Pain was measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Sociodemographic background variables were age, education, living condition, BMI and comorbidity. We conducted univariable linear regression to explore the associations between the different subscales of SF-36 and Qualeffo-41 as the dependent variable, and physical function variables, pain and sociodemographic background variables as the independent variables. Further, multivariable backward regression models were fitted to examine the strength of the various independent variables and dependent variables.
Results: The univariable analyses show that walking speed and pain were significantly associated with all the different subscales of SF-36 and Qualeffo - 41. The multivariable analysis show that walking speed is significantly associated in 6 of 8 subscales of SF-36, and 4 of 6 subscales of Qualeffo-41. Pain was significantly associated with all the subscales of both instruments, with the exception of the subscale Mental Health in SF-36. A model containing living condition, comorbidity, pain, Functional Reach and walking speed explained 65.9% of the variance in Total Qualeffo Score, which was the model with the highest explained variance. In this model pain was the largest unique contributor (standardized β 0.49, p 0.001), walking speed was the second largest (standardized β -0.31, p 0.001).
Conclusion(s): HRQoL, measured with both a generic and a disease-specific HRQoL - instrument, is substantially associated with physical function and pain. Future research should address interventions that increase physical function and include pain management in older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture.
Implications: The results of this study will inform physiotherapists and other health care personnel with new insight required to tailor interventions focusing on amendable factors to increase HRQol for people with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture.
Keywords: Vertebral fracture, Health-related quality of life, Physical function
Funding acknowledgements: Internal funding was provided by OsloMet. The institution had no role in the design, conduct of research or publication decision.
Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between HRQoL, physical function and pain among older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture.
Methods: This study uses cross-sectional data from the baseline measurements of a randomized controlled trial conducted in 2016-2018. 149 women above 65 years, diagnosed with osteoporosis and at least one vertebral fracture were included. HRQoL was measured by both the generic SF-36, and with the disease-specific Qualeffo-41. Physical function was assessed by Functional Reach, habitual walking speed, armcurls and 30 Seconds Sit to Stand. Pain was measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Sociodemographic background variables were age, education, living condition, BMI and comorbidity. We conducted univariable linear regression to explore the associations between the different subscales of SF-36 and Qualeffo-41 as the dependent variable, and physical function variables, pain and sociodemographic background variables as the independent variables. Further, multivariable backward regression models were fitted to examine the strength of the various independent variables and dependent variables.
Results: The univariable analyses show that walking speed and pain were significantly associated with all the different subscales of SF-36 and Qualeffo - 41. The multivariable analysis show that walking speed is significantly associated in 6 of 8 subscales of SF-36, and 4 of 6 subscales of Qualeffo-41. Pain was significantly associated with all the subscales of both instruments, with the exception of the subscale Mental Health in SF-36. A model containing living condition, comorbidity, pain, Functional Reach and walking speed explained 65.9% of the variance in Total Qualeffo Score, which was the model with the highest explained variance. In this model pain was the largest unique contributor (standardized β 0.49, p 0.001), walking speed was the second largest (standardized β -0.31, p 0.001).
Conclusion(s): HRQoL, measured with both a generic and a disease-specific HRQoL - instrument, is substantially associated with physical function and pain. Future research should address interventions that increase physical function and include pain management in older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture.
Implications: The results of this study will inform physiotherapists and other health care personnel with new insight required to tailor interventions focusing on amendable factors to increase HRQol for people with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture.
Keywords: Vertebral fracture, Health-related quality of life, Physical function
Funding acknowledgements: Internal funding was provided by OsloMet. The institution had no role in the design, conduct of research or publication decision.
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine; Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: The Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics
Ethics committee: South - East Norway
Ethics number: 2014/2050
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
