Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of illness perception (IP) on knee pain, quality of life (QoL) and functional level in elderly individuals reporting knee pain.
Design: A prospective cohort study of 1552 elderly with knee pain comparing two previously established clusters based on the Brief Illness Perception questionnaire. Cluster 1 ("Concerned optimists" [hypothesized unfavorable profile]; n = 642) perceived their knee pain as a greater threat to them than Cluster 2 ("Unconcerned confident" [hypothesized favorable profile]; n = 910). Primary outcome was the change from baseline to year 2 in the KOOS Pain subscale. Secondary outcomes were changes from baseline in quality of life (EuroQol-5 Domain and EQ VAS) and in the KOOS subscales Symptom, Activities of Daily Living, Knee-related QoL and Sports and recreation. Analyses were done on the original Intention-To-Survey (ITS) population, using repeated measures mixed linear models.
Results: Among the ITS population, 841 (54%) responded to the 2-year survey. There was a statistically significant but clinically irrelevant cluster difference in the 2-year change from baseline in KOOS pain (mean difference: 6.0 KOOS points [95% CI: 7.3 to -4.7]) explained by a minor improvement in Cluster 1: (6.2 points) and no changes in Cluster 2: (0.2 points). Comparable results were found across the secondary outcomes. Clinically irrelevant cluster changes in IP were seen.
Conclusion: In a cohort of people with knee pain, IP phenotype (i.e., Clusters) were of no prognostic value for the 2-year changes in pain, function, and QoL. Targeting IP may not be relevant in this patient population.
Trial registration number and date of registration: The Frederiksberg Cohort study was pre-registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03472300) on March 21, 2018.
Keywords: Cluster analyses; Cohort study; Illness perception; Knee pain; Prognostic factors; Quality of life.
© 2023 The Author(s).