Purpose: Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in adults. With the aging world population, its prevalence is increasing, with resultant significant socioeconomic implications. This study was aimed at determining the economic cost and psychosocial impact of osteoarthritis on patients attending physiotherapy clinics in public hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Relevance: Socioeconomic burden of osteoarthritis is enormous and it has been reported in many countries, but there seems to be dearth of information on it in Nigeria. In the absence of a nation-wide survey, the outcomes of this study could be useful for health policy planning.

Participants: Fifty six individuals with osteoarthritis who were attending physiotherapy outpatient clinics of all public hospitals in Ibadan participated in this cross-sectional survey.

Methods: Data on psychosocial impact of osteoarthritis was collected using the Perceived Impact of Problem Profile (PIPP version 2) and information on economic cost was obtained using a self developed, validated questionnaire.

Analysis: Data obtained were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and percentages.

Results: The mean age of participants (38 females, 18 males) was 60.1±9.1years with majority (82.1%) within 50 – 70 year age group. The economic cost of osteoarthritis averaged 113.515.5±103,433.6 Naira ($732.4±$667.3) per person per annum (direct cost- 107,165.5±96,749.6 Naira; indirect cost- 22,225±16,380.8 Naira) and reported annual income of participants was 409,600±247,972.4 Naira ($2642.6±$1599.8). Most (93%) participants reported that the economic cost was borne by themselves or/and their family members. Most (89.3%) participants reported mild and moderate psychological impact, 3.6% reported severe impact and 7.1% reported no psychological impact of osteoarthritis. Majority of the participants reported the impact of osteoarthritis to be mild and moderate on mobility (76.8%), self care (57%), social activities (80%) and moderate on interpersonal relationships (66.8%).

Conclusions: The outcome of this study suggests that the economic cost of osteoarthritis is high relative to participants’ income and direct cost accounts for majority of the economic cost. Osteoarthritis also places mild and moderate psychosocial impact on patients attending physiotherapy clinics in Ibadan.

Implications: There is the need to reduce the individual economic burden of OA. Extending the reach of the National Health Insurance Scheme in Nigeria to non government employees and retirees may be useful in this direction. Health promotion programmes would be useful in reducing the psychosocial impact of OA and physiotherapists in Nigeria could play a major role in achieving this.