Introduction: The ageing population is characterised by an increase in the prevalence of a number of diseases typical of geriatric age, which hinder the functioning of the elderly and impair their quality of life. These include diseases of the osteoarticular system. Chronic diseases of this system, combined with chronic pain
and accompanying mobility impairments, feelings of loneliness, uselessness, helplessness and anxiety, significantly affect their quality of life.
Purpose of the work: The aim was to assess the location and intensity of pain in patients with degenerative-discopathic changes of the spine and joints and their impact on some aspects of their quality of life.
Study material and method: The study was conducted in a group of 303 patients over 50 years of age from the Lubelskie Voivodeship who reported to the Institute of Rural Medicine with complaints of pain from the spine and joints and had clinically diagnosed osteoarthrosis. The study was conducted using the in-depth interview method, with the aid of a questionnaire survey.
Survey results: The patients were predominantly female. Pain mostly affected the lumbosacral and cervical spine and the shoulder, knee and hip joints. The complaints significantly limit patients in their occupation and daily activities, and mobility impairment is also a problem. More than 56% of respondents felt that it did not negatively affect their personal relationships and sex life. A similar percentage claimed to be satisfied with their quality of life. Unfavourable data concern the self-assessment of the respondents' health status, as 77% rated it as sufficient or bad.
Conclusions: The predominant symptom accompanying osteoarthritis of the spine and joints is pain, especially in the lumbar, sacral and cervical spine and in the knee, shoulder and hip joints, as well as impaired mobility. The discomfort limits patients in their professional duties and daily activities. They are accompanied by problems of a biobehavioural nature: apathy, feelings of powerlessness in the face of pain, and fear of deterioration. Despite these problems, respondents are generally satisfied with their life achievements. Respondents' self-assessment of their health status was negative, especially for rural residents. Respondents from urban environments, white-collar workers and those with a higher level of education rated their quality of life best.
https://ruj.uj.edu.pl/xmlui/bitstream/handle/item/154439/kopanski_et- al_quality_assessment_of_life_members_of_families_patients_2011.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y