Abstract
Purpose: While quantitative studies have established a correlation between obesity and chronic knee pain, qualitative research examining patients' experiences and perspectives remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of knee pain and treatment preferences among overweight and obese individuals experiencing chronic knee pain.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured, 60-minute face-to-face interviews with overweight and obese adults experiencing chronic knee pain. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Eighteen participants (5 men, 13 women; age ranged 35 to 73 years; BMI 24.3 to 31.6) were interviewed. Five key themes emerged: limitations due to pain and obesity, pain and obesity management challenges, weight contribution to pain, barriers to integrated care, and participant recommendations for improved management. Participants described how increased body weight and knee pain severity appeared to influence each other, with both conditions negatively impacting daily activities, social interactions, and emotional well-being. Barriers to effective management ranged from personal motivational factors to systemic healthcare and policy limitations.
Conclusions: This study revealed participants' perspectives on how weight and knee pain severity coexist and interact, with significant impacts on physical, psychological, and social functioning. Participants faced substantial challenges in managing both conditions simultaneously. Findings suggest the need for more holistic, patient-centered approach and enhanced healthcare policies that provide comprehensive support for managing these concurrent conditions. Such improvements could help to reduce the long-term health impacts associated with obesity and chronic knee pain.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured, 60-minute face-to-face interviews with overweight and obese adults experiencing chronic knee pain. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Eighteen participants (5 men, 13 women; age ranged 35 to 73 years; BMI 24.3 to 31.6) were interviewed. Five key themes emerged: limitations due to pain and obesity, pain and obesity management challenges, weight contribution to pain, barriers to integrated care, and participant recommendations for improved management. Participants described how increased body weight and knee pain severity appeared to influence each other, with both conditions negatively impacting daily activities, social interactions, and emotional well-being. Barriers to effective management ranged from personal motivational factors to systemic healthcare and policy limitations.
Conclusions: This study revealed participants' perspectives on how weight and knee pain severity coexist and interact, with significant impacts on physical, psychological, and social functioning. Participants faced substantial challenges in managing both conditions simultaneously. Findings suggest the need for more holistic, patient-centered approach and enhanced healthcare policies that provide comprehensive support for managing these concurrent conditions. Such improvements could help to reduce the long-term health impacts associated with obesity and chronic knee pain.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Abstracts from the 2025 OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis |
| Volume | 33 |
| Edition | S496 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2025 |
Publication series
| Name | Osteoarthritis and Cartilage |
|---|---|
| Publisher | W.B. Saunders Ltd |
| ISSN (Print) | 1063-4584 |
Keywords
- pain perception
- Obese
- knee pain
- Qualitative design
