Malnutrition Diagnosis in Outpatients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Hospital-based Case-Control Study in Iranian Population

Background and Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis is a musculoskeletal disorder.In this case-control study, associations of knee osteoarthritis outcomes with nutritional status were assessed in patients with knee osteoarthritis and non-knee osteoarthritis participants.Materials and Methods: Mini-nutritional assessment questionnaire was used to assess the nutritional status.Osteoarthritis outcome score-patellofemoral questionnaire was used to assess the pain, stiffness and quality of life score associated with knee osteoarthritis.Results: Patients with knee osteoarthritis showed higher malnutrition index scores (P = 0.001) and malnutrition rates (10% against 2%, P = 0.003) than those non-knee osteoarthritis participants did.In knee osteoarthritis patients, a significant positive association was detected between the scores of the malnutrition index and the quality of life subscale (P = 0.036; r = 0.297; CI: 0.045, 0.549).Patients with normal nutritional status were at lower risks of knee osteoarthritis than those malnourished participants were after adjusting for age, sex and body mass index (P = 0.019). Conclusions:Regarding increasing prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and malnutrition, especially in the elderly population, a preventive assessment for knee osteoarthritis includes further attentions to the nutritional status of this population.