Abstract: Objective To study the effects of self-management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) on the function and quality of life in old patients. Methods From October 2011 to April 2012, 100 patients with KOA from 2 communities in Tangshan, Hebei were recruited, and were as control group and intervention group based on the community. The intervention group learned a KOA self-management course, which consisted of 6 classes of 1.5 to 2 hours, once a week, taught by health professionals. The control group read the KOA self-management handbook only. They were measured with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2nd version- Short Form (AIMS2- SF) before and 6 months after intervention. Results The score of WOMAC and AIMS2-SF improved more in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The KOA self-management program is effective on function and quality of life in old patients with KOA in community.

Key words: knee osteoarthritis, old adults, self-management, community-based rehabilitation, quality of life