Patient beliefs about who and what influences their hip and knee osteoarthritis symptoms and progression

Background: Osteoarthritis management aims to reduce pain and improve function. Many factors affect whether patients follow recommended strategies. Locus of control refers to individual beliefs around who and what influences health. Locus of control is related to the treatment strategies patients prefer. Currently, no studies explore locus of control in non-surgical management of osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To explore patients' beliefs about the influences on their osteoarthritis symptoms and disease progression.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals experiencing self-reported hip and/or knee osteoarthritis who had at least one joint that had not undergone replacement surgery. We used a qualitative description approach and the Braun and Clarke method for thematic analysis. Participants' locus of control classifications-internal, chance, doctors, or other people-were based on the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales Form C score.

Results: Locus of control was discussed in relation to aetiology, progression, and symptoms. Participants' opinions varied on whether their osteoarthritis progression could be influenced. 46% of participants attributed control to other people. Most participants believed that a previous injury had caused their osteoarthritis and that both themselves and others had some influence over their osteoarthritis symptoms, regardless of their locus of control classification.

Conclusion: This research highlights the need for education about: the aetiology of osteoarthritis, the link between management and progression, and patient management of osteoarthritis. Further research is required to discern why expected patterns were not observed between participants' beliefs and locus of control classifications.