Mediating role of body mass index in knee osteoarthritis

Objective: This study explores the role of knee circumference, body mass index (BMI), and range of motion (ROM) in predicting knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The objective is to elucidate the mediating role of BMI in influencing the relationship between age, knee circumference and pain in knee osteoarthritis, as measured with the help of the knee outcome survey (KOS) questionnaire.

Methods: The design used in this study was causal comparative. The study consisted of 66 patients with symptomatic KOA and 60 matched asymptomatic individuals.

Result: BMI was significantly and positively correlated with both pain and knee girth for the symptomatic KOA group. This finding signifies a relationship between KOA and other indicators, such as age and knee circumference.

Conclusions: The results of the study would indicate an important milestone in clinical rehabilitation, especially for physical therapists, enabling them to plan, modify, and design interventions to improve the health status of KOA patients.