| Summary: | Background and Objective: Health locus of control (HLC) beliefs may be valuable predictors of treatment outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study aimed to investigate the relationship between HLC with knee pain intensity and duration, knee stiffness severity and treatment satisfaction in patients with knee OA. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study involved 60 patients with knee OA. Multidimensional HLC, Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction and Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index questionnaires were used to assess participants' self perceived HLC factors, treatment satisfaction, pain, stiffness, and physical function, respectively. Spearman’s correlation was used to find relationships among variables. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22, α was set at 5%. Result: Mean values of 24.30, 23.68 and 18.76 were reported for External HLC, Internal HLC and Chance HLC respectively. Treatment satisfaction was positively correlated with Internal HLC (r=0.33, p<0.01) Chance HLC was positively correlated with pain severity (r=0.37; p=.0.004), and physical function (r=.39; p=0.002). There was also a positive correlation between External HLC and pain duration (r=0.42; p=0.001). Discussion and Conclusion: Most patients with knee OA have high External HLC which means they ascribe their health status prominently to health care professionals, family members and friends. This could negatively influence their recovery outcome and lead to chronicity. HLC beliefs should be considered when managing patients with knee OA to positively impact adherence to instructions, treatment outcomes and overall quality of life.
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