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Background: Depression could be associated with pain and poor physical function of patients with knee osteoarthritis. It appears physiotherapists do not routinely screen patients with knee osteoarthritis for depressive symptoms. However in Nigeria, it is not sufficiently documented whether there is a relationship among pain, depression and physical function.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among pain, depression and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis in selected public hospitals in Ibadan and establishing its implication for inter-professional care.

Methods: Twenty-three individuals had depressive symptoms out of 80 diagnosed with knee Osteoarthritis participated in the study. They were screened for depression using the mood/ depression assessment questionnaire. Depression, physical function and pain were assessed by Becks Depression Inventory, Ibadan Knee Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Measure and Modified Visual Analogue Scale respectively. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation test and linear regression. Significance level was set at P< 0.05

Results: The screening for depression was positive in 28.8% of patients aged 62.69 ± 5.96 years. Most of the participants were females (87.0%) and married (95.7%). Pain intensity scores was 4.451.26 and physical function score was 152.4722.35. Depression score was 8.89 3.39. There were significant correlations between pain intensity and physical function (r=-0.659); pain intensity and depression (r= 0.611) and depression and physical function (r =- 0.660). Negative linear relationship exist between physical function and each of pain (R²=0.434), depression(R²=0.436). A positive linear relationship exists between pain intensity and depression (R²=0.374).

Conclusion: About a quarter of patients with knee osteoarthritis had depression. Individuals with knee osteoarthritis who had higher levels of pain were more depressed and had lower level of physical function. It is suggested that the assessment for and management of depression should be integrated into the health care of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Members of the health team involved in the management of osteoarthritis should be trained in the screening and detection of those who have depressive symptoms.