Differences in Pain Intensity Between Men and Women Over 60 Years of Age with Severe Hip Osteoarthritis

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of disability, pain, and healthcare costs, with more than 500 million people diagnosed with the condition. Pain is persistent and continuous in patients with severe hip OA, significantly impacting activities of daily living and associated with functional decline, particularly in women, who have a higher sensitivity to pain; however, it is unknown whether this difference persists in older women with advanced arthritis. Methodology: A cross-sectional study, approved by the research ethics committee and with signed informed consent forms. Elderly individuals aged 60 years and older diagnosed with severe hip OA and evaluated at Hospital das Clínicas were included. Patients who decided not to participate in the study were excluded. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). Gaussian distribution was confirmed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, results are presented as median, quartiles, absolute frequency, and relative frequency. Comparisons between sexes were performed using the Mann-Whitney test (significance level 5%). Results: 85 patients (39 men, 46 women), with a mean age of 65.95 (60; 71) years for women and 63 (58; 71) years for men (P = 0.584). Men and women were overweight, with mean weights of 79.20 (72; 96) kg and 72 (63; 78) kg, respectively (P = <0.001). BMI values showed no differences: 29 (26; 31) for men and 29 (26; 30) for women (P < 0.001). Men were taller than women, at 1.70 (1.64; 1.74) cm and 1.60 (1.53; 1.62) cm, respectively.