Does the effect of pain perception on self-efficacy levels in individuals with osteoarthritis?

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pain perception on self-efficacy levels in patients with osteoarthritis. Method: The sample of the descriptive study was consisted of 200 patients with osteoarthritis who admitted to the polyclinics and admitted to the physical treatment and rehabilitation clinics of a public hospital between April and September 2017. Data of the study was obtained with patient identification form, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale (ASES). In the statistical evaluating of the data; mean ± standard deviation (mean ± SD), number, percentage distributions, t test and Pearson Correlation test were used. Results: The mean of VAS score was found as 7,07 ± 1,63 in patients with osteoarthritis whose average of age was 59,14 ± 9,17 years. The total mean of SSA score was 101,82 ± 17,95; the means of scores obtained in the sub-dimensions of SSA; Self efficacy in pain was 20,53 ± 4,09, Self efficacy in foot and leg functioning was 22,32 ± 6,94, Self efficacy in hand and arm functioning was 35,80 ± 7,9, and Self efficacy in other functions were 23,18 ± 6,67. It was found that there was significant negative correlation between VAS and total score and sub-dimensions of self-efficacy scale. While there was no statistically significant difference between self-efficacy scale scores according to gender and marital status, there was a significant negative correlation between age and foot-leg functions subscale scores. Conclusions: It was determined that the self-efficacy of the patients with osteoarthritis was moderate, and the pain perception was high. It is also found that as the age increased, foot-leg functions decreased, and self-efficacy levels decreased as the pain perception increased. According these results; effective evaluation of pain perceptions and self-efficacy levels of patients with osteoarthritis is recommended to use effective coping methods in pain to increase self-efficacy level. Key words: Osteoarthritis, Self-efficacy, Pain.