Objective
This study aims to evaluate correlates of gait speed, a measure of disability, in older adults with advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic pain.
Design/Setting/Subjects/Methods
Baseline data were analyzed from a clinical trial of 190 participants aged >50 with advanced knee OA (according to clinical and radiographic American College of Rheumatology criteria) and chronic pain. Data included 4‐meter gait speed, quality of life (Short Form Health Survey 36 global health subscale), knee pain (Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), coping strategies (catastrophizing subscale and Cognitive Strategies Questionnaire), self‐efficacy (Athritis Self‐efficacy Scale [ASES]), comorbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale), analgesic use, and pain comorbidities (location, frequency, and intensity). A multivariable regression model was used to investigate these variables as they relate to gait speed.
Results
In the univariate analysis, the following variables were associated with gait speed: knee pain (per WOMAC), age, depressive symptoms, global health, catastrophizing, ASES function and other, comorbidity, and opioid use (all P values <0.05). In the fully adjusted multivariate model, controlling for knee pain, significant associations between gait speed and age (β = −0.006; P < 0.001), ASES function (β = 0.003; P < 0.001), and opioid use (β = −0.082; P = 0.009) persisted. The correlation between opioid dose and gait speed (among opioid users) was not statistically significant (r = 0.04; P = 0.81).
Conclusion
In a cross‐sectional study of older adults with advanced knee OA and chronic pain, we found that age, arthritis function self‐efficacy, and opioid use (but not dose) were significantly associated with decreased gait speed.