BACKGROUND: Knee pain is common among older adults but only a minority consult their doctor about it. AIM: To determine predictors of new episodes of consultation in primary care among older people with knee pain. DESIGN OF STUDY: Population-based prospective cohort study linking baseline survey to primary care medical records. SETTING: Three general practices in North Staffordshire, UK. METHOD: Subjects were 1797 people aged > or =50 years who responded to a general population survey, reported knee pain in the previous 12 months and had no record of a knee disorder consultation in the 18 months prior to the survey. The main outcome measure was a record of a knee disorder consultation in the 18 months following the survey. RESULTS: The incidence of a new episode of general practice care was approximately 10% per year. Apart from chronicity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 2.1), measures of pain severity were not strong influences on future consultation. No social support (measured by having no partner) increased likelihood of future consultation (OR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.0 to 1.8). Among those with chronic and severe pain, main predictors were previous experiences of health care (use of non-GP services OR = 1.8; previous knee injury OR = 1.7). Current depression reduced likelihood of consulting about the knee problem (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.3 to 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Knee pain is common in the older population but a minority consult their doctor about it. Severity of pain and disability is not a strong influence on consultation. For those more severely affected, depression may act as a barrier to healthcare use.
BACKGROUND:Knee pain is common among older adults but only a minority consult their doctor about it. AIM: To determine predictors of new episodes of consultation in primary care among older people with knee pain. DESIGN OF STUDY: Population-based prospective cohort study linking baseline survey to primary care medical records. SETTING: Three general practices in North Staffordshire, UK. METHOD: Subjects were 1797 people aged > or =50 years who responded to a general population survey, reported knee pain in the previous 12 months and had no record of a knee disorder consultation in the 18 months prior to the survey. The main outcome measure was a record of a knee disorder consultation in the 18 months following the survey. RESULTS: The incidence of a new episode of general practice care was approximately 10% per year. Apart from chronicity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 2.1), measures of pain severity were not strong influences on future consultation. No social support (measured by having no partner) increased likelihood of future consultation (OR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.0 to 1.8). Among those with chronic and severe pain, main predictors were previous experiences of health care (use of non-GP services OR = 1.8; previous knee injury OR = 1.7). Current depression reduced likelihood of consulting about the knee problem (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.3 to 0.9). CONCLUSIONS:Knee pain is common in the older population but a minority consult their doctor about it. Severity of pain and disability is not a strong influence on consultation. For those more severely affected, depression may act as a barrier to healthcare use.
Authors: M Hopman-Rock; G H de Bock; J W Bijlsma; M P Springer; A Hofman; F W Kraaimaat Journal: Int J Qual Health Care Date: 1997-04 Impact factor: 2.038
Authors: Edward Roddy; Irena Zwierska; Kelvin P Jordan; Peter Dawes; Samantha L Hider; Jon Packham; Kay Stevenson; Elaine M Hay Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2013-02 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Edward Roddy; Helen Myers; Martin J Thomas; Michelle Marshall; Deborah D'Cruz; Hylton B Menz; John Belcher; Sara Muller; George Peat Journal: J Foot Ankle Res Date: 2011-09-05 Impact factor: 2.303