Investigation of Biopsychosocial Characteristics of Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis

Since pain and depression are observed together in rheumatic diseases, the concept of limitation caused by the disease and health-related quality of life becomes more determinant than radiological joint damage. Sleep problems observed in OA also increase the level of depression findings and difficulty in movement. The chronic nature of the disease includes issues such as pain, fatigue, sleep problems, loss of function, anxiety, depression, and social isolation, together as in other chronic diseases. This complex structure accompanies a picture in which inflammatory processes are triggered.

When the literature is examined, the necessity of evaluation and methods including all these biopsychosocial characteristics of chronic diseases with multifaceted symptoms is emphasized. On the other hand, although it is stated that the common goal of non-pharmacological treatments is to contribute to biopsychosocial improvement in the patient, it is emphasized that evaluations with biopsychosocial content are insufficient. This situation causes the need for scales that provide a holistic assessment of chronic diseases. When the literature, including individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis, is analyzed, the inadequacy of the studies providing biopsychosocial evaluation draws attention.