Pain Catastrophizing Is Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Hip Osteoarthritis: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between pain catastrophizing (PC) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while accounting for pain intensity and other factors in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included a total of 160 participants and was conducted at five hospitals in Japan. The primary outcome was the HRQoL status, which was assessed using the Japanese version of the 12-item Short Form. Physical (PCS-12) and mental (MCS-12) component summary scores were used as dependent variables. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), affected side, hip OA severity, bilateral range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, pain intensity, and PC scale scores were measured as independent variables. After screening, multiple regression analysis was performed for each outcome. Results: Higher BMI (beta = -0.17, p < 0.05), higher hip flexion ROM on the unaffected side (beta = -0.26, p < 0.05), lower hip flexion ROM on the affected side (beta = 0.22, p < 0.05) and higher PC scale score (beta = -0.28, p < 0.05) were associated with worse PCS-12. In addition, higher BMI (beta = -0.18, p < 0.05) and higher PC scale scores (beta = -0.29, p < 0.05) were associated with worse MCS-12 after accounting for confounding factors. Conclusion: This study suggested that PC is an issue in patients with hip OA and is a potential target for interventions aimed at improving HRQoL.