TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors Contributing to Possession and Use of Walking Aids among Persons with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
AU - Van Der Esch, M.
AU - Heijmans, M.
AU - Dekker, J.
PY - 2003/12/15
Y1 - 2003/12/15
N2 - Objective. To investigate the possession and use of walking aids among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA), and to identify factors contributing to possession and actual use of these aids. Methods. A random sample of 640 patients with RA or OA was derived from a database of 6, 500 registered patients. A total of 410 (64%) patients (223 RA, 187 OA) completed a questionnaire on possession and use of walking aids. Demographics, disease-related characteristics, and information about possession and use were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine which factors are associated with the possession and use of walking aids. Results. Forty-nine percent of the RA patients and 44% of the OA patients owned a walking aid. Canes, forearm crutches, walkers, and orthopedic footwear were most frequently possessed. In the RA group, age, education, frequency of pain, and disability were associated with possessing a walking aid. In the OA group, age and disability were associated with possession. Approximately 30% of the owners did not use their walking aid. Factors associated with the actual use of an aid included higher age, a high intensity of pain, more disability, decrease in morning stiffness by the aid, and a positive evaluation of the aid. Conclusion. Almost half of patients with RA or OA possess a walking aid. Disability, pain, and age-related impairments seem to determine the need for a walking aid. Nonuse is associated with less need, negative outcome, and negative evaluation of the walking aid.
AB - Objective. To investigate the possession and use of walking aids among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA), and to identify factors contributing to possession and actual use of these aids. Methods. A random sample of 640 patients with RA or OA was derived from a database of 6, 500 registered patients. A total of 410 (64%) patients (223 RA, 187 OA) completed a questionnaire on possession and use of walking aids. Demographics, disease-related characteristics, and information about possession and use were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine which factors are associated with the possession and use of walking aids. Results. Forty-nine percent of the RA patients and 44% of the OA patients owned a walking aid. Canes, forearm crutches, walkers, and orthopedic footwear were most frequently possessed. In the RA group, age, education, frequency of pain, and disability were associated with possessing a walking aid. In the OA group, age and disability were associated with possession. Approximately 30% of the owners did not use their walking aid. Factors associated with the actual use of an aid included higher age, a high intensity of pain, more disability, decrease in morning stiffness by the aid, and a positive evaluation of the aid. Conclusion. Almost half of patients with RA or OA possess a walking aid. Disability, pain, and age-related impairments seem to determine the need for a walking aid. Nonuse is associated with less need, negative outcome, and negative evaluation of the walking aid.
KW - Assistive devices
KW - Disability
KW - Osteoarthritis
KW - Rheumatoid arthritis
KW - Walking aids
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0346220230&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1002/art.11463
DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/art.11463
M3 - Article
C2 - 14673971
SN - 2151-4658
VL - 49
SP - 838
EP - 842
JO - Arthritis care and research
JF - Arthritis care and research
IS - 6
ER -