Research
Association between obesity, quality of life, physical activity and health service utilization in primary care patients with osteoarthritis
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* Corresponding author: Thomas Rosemann thomas.rosemann@med.uni-heidelberg.de
1 Department of General Practice, University of Zürich, Rämistr.100, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
2 Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Voßstr. 2, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
3 Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2008, 5:4 doi:10.1186/1479-5868-5-4
Published: 28 January 2008Abstract
Objective
To assess the association of obesity with quality of life, health service utilization and physical activity in a large sample of primary care patients with osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods
Data were retrieved from the PraxArt project, representing a cohort of 1021 primary care patients with OA. In 978 patients, height and weight were measured and the Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The AIMS2-SF was used to assess quality of life (QoL). Data about health service utilization (HSU) were retrieved by means of patients' medical files. Concomitant depression was assessed by means of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Patients were grouped into normal weight, overweight and obese according to the definition of the WHO and compared by means of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
Results
Obese and overweight persons achieved significantly higher scores on the AIMS2-SF lower body scale, the symptom, the affect and the work scale, indicating an increased burden by OA. The PHQ-9 score increased significantly over the three weight-groups, indicating a positive association of BMI and depression. With increasing BMI, the number of comorbidities increased and physical activity decreased significantly. After controlling for covariates, contacts to orthopaedics and performed x-rays remained significantly higher in obese patients, but not contacts to general practitioners.
Conclusion
The results display a strong association of QoL and BMI, resulting in increased use of the health care system. Thus, the study emphasizes the need for appropriate approaches in primary care to break the vicious circle of overweight, depression, decreasing physical inactivity and decreasing QoL.