Psychosocial Factors Are Effect Modifiers In The Association Between Pain And Healthcare Utilization In People With Knee Osteoarthritis

Purpose: The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in people over the age of 40 is estimated to be 22.9% and its economic impact is substantial. In Canada alone by the year 2040, knee OA healthcare costs will approximate $1.45 trillion. A driving force behind the healthcare costs is known to be pain. A portion of patients with knee OA also report having neuropathic-type pain, which is frequently associated with higher pain levels and reduced function. Additionally, it is known that psychosocial factors are significantly associated with higher levels of pain in people with knee OA, which may in turn impact healthcare seeking behavior. Therefore, it is important to understand the role that psychosocial factors might play with regards to reported neuropathic pain and healthcare utilization. The objectives of this study were therefore to (1) assess the association between reported neuropathic pain and healthcare utilization in people with knee OA, and (2) investigate the influence of psychosocial factors as potential effect modifiers of the relationship between reported neuropathic pain and healthcare utilization.