Osteoarthritis, is the most common chronic disease in the elderly. It is the main cause of pain and functional disability with age, and may cause limitation in performing activity of daily living. Due to its high prevalence, the chronicity and the invalidating consequences of the disease associated with the chronic need of medical assistance and pharmacological therapy, the care of the patient with osteoarthritis has an elevated medical and social cost. The prevalence of arthritis will increase in the next decades due to the increasing aging of the population, and to the relative growing number of elderly subjects. Goal of treatment is: i) to reduce the pain, rigidity and disability; ii) to limit the progressive damage of the joint; iii) and to improve the quality of life, minimazing the adverse effects of the therapy. Pain control is a key factor in a correct therapeutical strategy, but also lyfestile interventions with diet modifications and physical exercise have an important role. Obesity is the most important risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis, and also favor the worsening of the condition. In addition, in the elderly patient with osteoarthritis and pain, the presence of obesity is an additive factor that esponentially increases the risk of disability. Weight reduction in the elderly obese contribute not only to increase mobility, but also to reduce the pain. Physical exercise and rehabilitation may play a role in the reduction of pain and of functional limitation and in the prevention of disability.

Osteoarthritis as a risk factor of disability in the elderly [ARTROSI COME FATTORE DI RISCHIO DI DISABILITÀ NELL’ANZIANO]

DOMINGUEZ L.J.;
2003-01-01

Abstract

Osteoarthritis, is the most common chronic disease in the elderly. It is the main cause of pain and functional disability with age, and may cause limitation in performing activity of daily living. Due to its high prevalence, the chronicity and the invalidating consequences of the disease associated with the chronic need of medical assistance and pharmacological therapy, the care of the patient with osteoarthritis has an elevated medical and social cost. The prevalence of arthritis will increase in the next decades due to the increasing aging of the population, and to the relative growing number of elderly subjects. Goal of treatment is: i) to reduce the pain, rigidity and disability; ii) to limit the progressive damage of the joint; iii) and to improve the quality of life, minimazing the adverse effects of the therapy. Pain control is a key factor in a correct therapeutical strategy, but also lyfestile interventions with diet modifications and physical exercise have an important role. Obesity is the most important risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis, and also favor the worsening of the condition. In addition, in the elderly patient with osteoarthritis and pain, the presence of obesity is an additive factor that esponentially increases the risk of disability. Weight reduction in the elderly obese contribute not only to increase mobility, but also to reduce the pain. Physical exercise and rehabilitation may play a role in the reduction of pain and of functional limitation and in the prevention of disability.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11387/149967
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