Factors Associated with Knee Osteoarthritis Among Postmenopausal Women in Lahore
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Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a common degenerative musculoskeletal condition among postmenopausal women and is frequently associated with pain, reduced mobility, functional limitation, and fear of falling. Postmenopausal hormonal changes, excess body weight, low physical activity, and reduced balance confidence may contribute to symptom burden and disease severity. Objective: To determine the association of pain intensity, fear of falling, physical activity level, and body mass index with knee osteoarthritis grade among postmenopausal women in Lahore. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 153 postmenopausal women aged 46–76 years with Grade 1 or Grade 2 knee osteoarthritis. Participants were selected through convenience sampling from Ali Raza Abad and the Physical Therapy Department of Mumtaz Bakhtawar Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Falls Efficacy Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and anthropometric assessment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, cross-tabulations, and chi-square tests were used. Results: Grade 1 knee osteoarthritis was present in 77 participants and Grade 2 in 76 participants. Low physical activity was reported by 99 participants, while 97 were overweight and 56 were obese. Pain intensity and Falls Efficacy Scale category were significantly associated with osteoarthritis grade (p < .001), whereas BMI category (p = .082) and physical activity level (p = .197) were not significantly associated. Conclusion: Pain intensity and fear of falling were significantly associated with knee osteoarthritis grade among postmenopausal women, while BMI and physical activity level were not statistically associated. Comprehensive management should include pain control, fall-risk screening, physical activity counseling, and weight-control strategies.
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