The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and the Level of Functional Disability in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients at the Korbafo Community Health Center UPTD - Rote Ndao Regency

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a degenerative disease of the joints that often causes pain and functional disorders. High Body Mass Index (BMI) is known to be one of the main risk factors for knee OA, but its relationship with the rate of functional disability in knee OA patients in archipelagic regions such as Rote Ndao is still limited. This study aims to analyze the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the level of functional disability in knee osteoarthritis patients at UPTD Korbafo Health Center, Rote Ndao Regency, in 2026. This study used a cross-sectional design. The study sample was knee OA patients who received treatment at the Korbafo Health Center for the period January-March 2026, selected using purposive sampling techniques (n=78). BMI was measured based on body weight and height (kg/m²), while functional disability rates were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation between continuous BMI and continuous WOMAC scores. Most of the patients were aged 56–70 years (71.8%) and female (83.3%). The BMI distribution showed that 44.9% of patients were classified as obese (BMI ≥25). The rates of mild, moderate, and severe functional disabilities were 23.1%, 56.4%, and 20.5%, respectively. The Spearman test showed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.487 (95% CI 0.28–0.65; p = 0.002), indicating a positive association of moderate strength between BMI and functional disability. Higher BMI was moderately associated with more severe functional disability in knee osteoarthritis patients at the Korbafo Health Center UPTD. Because this association was not adjusted for potential confounders, it should be interpreted with caution.