HUBUNGAN USIA TERHADAP TINGKAT KEPARAHAN OSTEOARTHRITIS LUTUT BERDASARKAN SKOR WOMAC PADA PASIEN DI RSU UNIVERSITAS MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease commonly found in elderly individuals, causing significant pain and impaired physical function. Age is considered one of the primary risk factors for OA progression due to age-related structural changes in the joints. The severity of OA can be assessed using the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), which evaluates pain, stiffness, and physical function. However, studies on the correlation between age and WOMAC scores in knee OA patients, particularly in Indonesia and at RSU Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, remain limited. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between age and the severity of knee OA based on WOMAC scores.
Objective: To identify the relationship between age and the severity level of knee osteoarthritis based on WOMAC scores in patients at RSU Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.
Methods: The research employed a quantitative approach with an analytical observational design using a cross-sectional method. A total of 30 patients diagnosed with knee OA were selected through total sampling at the Medical Rehabilitation Clinic of RSU Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang in March 2025. Data were collected using the WOMAC questionnaire, completed directly by the patients, and analyzed using the Spearman correlation test to determine the relationship between age and WOMAC scores.
Results: The results showed a very strong and statistically significant positive correlation between age and the severity of knee OA (r = 0.882; p = 0.000). Older patients tended to have higher WOMAC scores, indicating more severe symptoms and functional limitations. The highest severity scores were found in patients aged 70 years and older. These findings support existing theories that age is a major risk factor contributing to OA progression and emphasize the importance of early detection and targeted interventions in older adults.
Conclusion: Advancing age significantly increases the risk of more severe knee osteoarthritis among patients at RSU Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.