Hip disorders and osteoarthritis: focus on health-related quality of life, assesssment and intervention

Abstract: The overall aims of this work were to investigate the consequences of hip disorders and hip osteoarthritis (OA) on health-related quality of life (HRQL) physical function and self-efficacy. The condition, hip OA, is often associated with significant pain and has a strong impact on physical function and quality of life. The prevalence of hip disorders were 32% and among the individuals reporting hip disorders 86% experienced pain, 32% stiffness and 20% weakness and 92% of those with hip disorders also reported disorders in other joints. In individuals with hip OA, better physical function and better self-efficacy were associated with higher perceived health-related quality of life. A new instrument for assessing movement quality, the Body Awareness Movement Quality (BAS MQ)was examined. The inter-rater reliabiliy and validity were acceptable in a group of individuals with hip OA. Eighty-nine individuals with hip OA were randomized either to Tai Chi for Arthritis, Hip School or a control group. Within group-differences showed a significant improvement between baseline and the 6- months follow-up in physical function in both intervention group and the Tai Chi group also improved significantly in self-efficacy. No significant differences, regarding physical function, self-efficacy or HRQL, were seen at 6-or 12 months follow-up whwn comparing the groups.