Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

In India Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent joint disease with radiological prevalence of 22% to 39%. Change in socio-economic status adversely affects the individual's way of life in older age. Predominantly Punjab state economy is dependent upon farming and recent change in lifestyle and dietary habits has brought a significant change in epidemiology of osteoarthritis in community. Hence, this study was planned with the aim to study the social-economic problems faced by the adults suffering from osteoarthritis

The proposed study was carried over a period of 1 year from January 2011- December 2011 in the adult population in the village Balkalan aged 30 years and above. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used in form of proformas to record the information in the local language. The data was collected, compiled and analyzed statistically, and valid conclusions were drawn.

The present study showed 16% prevalence of symptomatic OA among adult population of village Balkalan. Majority of patients (32.1%) with symptomatic Osteoarthritis were in age group of 60–70 years while 27.8% were in 50–60 years of age and 15.4% were in 70–80 years age group.

Osteoarthritis was noticed more in the lower income group, 37% patients were in Rs 1407–4203 income group, which corresponded to higher prevalence in class 4 socioeconomic status group(upper lower) having 63% prevalence of OA.

Majority of patients (91.4%) said that OA has lead to increased consumption of analgesic drugs while 14.8% told that it has lead to increased consumption of narcotics & 17.9% told it had lead to increased consumption of habit forming drugs like proxyn tablets for OA pain relief No statistically significant association was found between place of first consultation and socio-economic status.