Walking related performance fatigability in patients with knee osteoarthritis as compared to healthy controls

PURPOSE: Knee Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease associated with significant walking-related disability. Impaired gait mechanics can lead to an increase in energy expenditure and impaired energy recovery, causing an increase in perceived fatigue resulting in functional decline. However, despite the association of performance fatigability with negative health outcomes and walking-related disability, it is still not well understood in patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: The study conducted a cross-sectional comparison between 20 participants with knee osteoarthritis (OA) classified as grade III or less on the Kellgren classification, and a control group of 20 healthy individuals matched in age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and gender. A six-minute walk test (6MWT) was used as an outcome measurement tool, and distance, gait velocity, and walking-related performance fatigability were calculated. SPSS version 21 was used to analyze the data, and the normality of the data was determined using the Shapiro-Wilk test. For normally distributed data, the independent t-test was employed, while the non-normally distributed data was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between healthy controls and participants with knee OA in terms of age, weight, height, and BMI. However, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in total distance covered in 6 minutes, distance covered in each minute, gait velocity and walking-related performance fatigability. Persons with knee OA demonstrated greater fatigability and lesser gait velocity and distance covered during the 6MWT. CONCLUSION: Individuals with knee OA exhibited greater fatigability and lower gait velocity and distance covered during the 6MWT.