A STUDY TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF PAIN AND ITS IMPACT IN QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PATIENT WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS IN SELECTED HOSPITAL, CHENNAI

Introduction: Osteoarthritis represents a significant cause of chronic pain and disability, substantially impacting the quality of life of affected individuals. Aim of the study: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding the dietary practices among osteoarthritis patients in selected hospital, Chennai. Methodology: This descriptive study aimed to assess pain levels and quality of life among 120 osteoarthritis patients in a selected hospital in Chennai. Participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique from the OPD and wards. Inclusion criteria included patients aged 35 years and above, diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and who provided informed consent. Exclusion criteria were patients with severe comorbid conditions affecting pain perception or quality of life, and those undergoing surgical treatment for osteoarthritis. Results: The study revealed that 41.7% of osteoarthritis patients experienced moderate pain, 33.3% reported mild pain, and 25% had severe pain. Regarding quality of life, 41.7% of patients rated it as fair, 33.3% considered it good, and 25% reported a poor quality of life. The correlation analysis showed a moderate negative relationship between pain levels and quality of life, with a correlation coefficient of -0.65. Conclusion: the study highlights the significant impact of pain on the quality of life among osteoarthritis patients. A moderate negative correlation was found between pain levels and quality of life, indicating that higher pain levels are associated with a decrease in quality of life.