Introduction:
The ageing of society is associated with an increase in the frequency of occurrence of many diseases typical of geriatric age, which hinder the functioning of many of the elderly and deteriorate the quality of their life. Among these disorders are osteoarticular system diseases. Chronic diseases of this system, in combination with constantly experienced pain, and accompanied by mobility disorders, feeling of loneliness, uselessness, helplessness and anxiety, to a considerable degree affect the quality of life of these people.

Objective:
The objective of the study was evaluation of the location and intensity of pain in patients with degenerative-discopathic changes in the spine and joints, and their effect on selected aspects of the quality of their life.

Material and Methods:
The study was conducted in a group of 303 patients aged over 50, from the Lublin Region, who reported to the Institute of Rural Health with pain complaints on the part of the spine and joints, with clinically diagnosed osteoarthritis. The study was conducted by the method of deepened survey, using a questionnaire form.

Results:
Among the patients there dominated women. Pain most often concerned the spine in the lumbar and neck region, as well as shoulder, knee and hip joints. The complaints considerably limit the patients in performing occupational activity and in the activities of daily life, mobility disorders also create problems. More than a half of the respondents – 56%, considered that this does not exert any negative effect on their personal relationships and sex life. A similar percentage of respondents reported that they were satisfied with the quality of their life. Unfavourable data concern the respondents’ self-reported state of health – 77% of them evaluated this state as satisfactory or poor.

Conclusions:
A dominant symptom which accompanies degenerative changes in the spine and joints is pain, especially in the lumbar and neck region, as well as shoulder, knee and hip joints, as well as mobility disorders. The complaints limit patients in their occupational duties and activities of daily living. They are accompanied by problems of a behavioural nature: apathy, feeling of helplessness towards pain, and fear of the deterioration of the state of health. Despite these problems, the respondents are generally satisfied with their life achievements. The respondents evaluated their state of health in negative terms, especially rural inhabitants. Respondents living in the urban environment, office workers and individuals with a higher level of education, evaluated their quality of life in most positive terms.