Development of a population-based microsimulation model of osteoarthritis in Canada

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to develop a population-based simulation model of osteoarthritis (OA) in Canada that can be used to quantify the future health and economic burden of OA under a range of scenarios for changes in the OA risk factors and treatments. In this article we describe the overall structure of the model, sources of data, derivation of key input parameters for the epidemiological component of the model, and preliminary validation studies.

DESIGN

We used the Population Health Model (POHEM) platform to develop a stochastic continuous-time microsimulation model of physician-diagnosed OA. Incidence rates were calibrated to agree with administrative data for the province of British Columbia, Canada. The effect of obesity on OA incidence and the impact of OA on health-related quality of life (HRQL) were modeled using Canadian national surveys.

RESULTS

Incidence rates of OA in the model increase approximately linearly with age in both sexes between the ages of 50 and 80 and plateau in the very old. In those aged 50+, the rates are substantially higher in women. At baseline, the prevalence of OA is 11.5%, 13.6% in women and 9.3% in men. The OA hazard ratios for obesity are 2.0 in women and 1.7 in men. The effect of OA diagnosis on HRQL, as measured by the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3), is to reduce it by 0.10 in women and 0.14 in men.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe the development of the first population-based microsimulation model of OA. Strengths of this model include the use of large population databases to derive the key parameters and the application of modern microsimulation technology. Limitations of the model reflect the limitations of administrative and survey data and gaps in the epidemiological and HRQL literature.

Variability in physician opinions about the indications for knee arthroplasty

To determine how much of variability in physician opinion about the indications for knee arthroplasty is due to inconsistency in individual physicians' opinions. We surveyed 201 orthopedic surgeons, 141 rheumatologists, and 455 family physicians. Physicians were asked how 34 patient characteristics affected their decision to perform or refer for knee arthroplasty. Surgeons and referring physicians agreed on how 4 and 2 of 34 patient characteristics affected their decision about knee arthroplasty, respectively. Half of the variability in opinion among physicians could be accounted for by inconsistency in their individual responses to the survey 6 weeks apart (mean intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.49). Although surgeons and referring physicians vary in their opinion, half of the variability could be attributed to individual physician inconsistency.

Effect of Physical Therapy vs Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy in People With Degenerative Meniscal Tears: Five-Year Follow-up of the ESCAPE Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

There is a paucity of high-quality evidence about the long-term effects (ie, 3-5 years and beyond) of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy vs exercise-based physical therapy for patients with degenerative meniscal tears.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the 5-year effectiveness of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and exercise-based physical therapy on patient-reported knee function and progression of knee osteoarthritis in patients with a degenerative meniscal tear.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A noninferiority, multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted in the orthopedic departments of 9 hospitals in the Netherlands. A total of 321 patients aged 45 to 70 years with a degenerative meniscal tear participated. Data collection took place between July 12, 2013, and December 4, 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly allocated to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or 16 sessions of exercise-based physical therapy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was patient-reported knee function (International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (range, 0 [worst] to 100 [best]) during 5 years of follow-up based on the intention-to-treat principle, with a noninferiority threshold of 11 points. The secondary outcome was progression in knee osteoarthritis shown on radiographic images in both treatment groups.

RESULTS

Of 321 patients (mean [SD] age, 58 [6.6] years; 161 women [50.2%]), 278 patients (87.1%) completed the 5-year follow-up with a mean follow-up time of 61.8 months (range, 58.8-69.5 months). From baseline to 5-year follow-up, the mean (SD) improvement was 29.6 (18.7) points in the surgery group and 25.1 (17.8) points in the physical therapy group. The crude between-group difference was 3.5 points (95% CI, 0.7-6.3 points; P < .001 for noninferiority). The 95% CI did not exceed the noninferiority threshold of 11 points. Comparable rates of progression of radiographic-demonstrated knee osteoarthritis were noted between both treatments.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this noninferiority randomized clinical trial after 5 years, exercise-based physical therapy remained noninferior to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for patient-reported knee function. Physical therapy should therefore be the preferred treatment over surgery for degenerative meniscal tears. These results can assist in the development and updating of current guideline recommendations about treatment for patients with a degenerative meniscal tear.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01850719.

Psychometric properties of the "Osteoporosis and You" questionnaire: osteoporosis knowledge deficits among older community-dwelling women

In older women, knowledge about risk factors for osteoporosis was good, with over 75% responding correctly to questions about lifestyle factors, family history, height loss, and menopausal status. However, significant knowledge deficits were identified regarding osteoporosis "consequences" and "prevention and treatment."

INTRODUCTION

We examined osteoporosis knowledge by testing the psychometric properties of the 10-item knowledge component of the "Osteoporosis and You" questionnaire. Several knowledge domains were hypothesized.

METHODS

Community-dwelling women aged 65-90 years residing within two regions of Ontario, Canada were studied (N = 869). Data were collected by standardized telephone interviews in 2003 and 2004. Items to which 75% or more responded correctly were identified as having a low index of difficulty; the remaining items identified areas of knowledge deficit. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test scale structure.

RESULTS

Six of the ten items had a low index of difficulty. These items largely examined osteoporosis risk factors. The remaining four items identified significant knowledge deficits in the areas of osteoporosis consequences, prevention, and treatment. Confirmatory factor analysis identified four distinct osteoporosis knowledge domains. However, the internal consistency was low for all but one domain, which examined "prevention and treatment."

CONCLUSION

Although older women appear to be aware of osteoporosis risk factors, knowledge deficits regarding the consequences of osteoporosis and that treatment exists to prevent bone loss were identified. Better understanding of the multi-dimensional aspects of osteoporosis knowledge may help to inform the development of effective educational interventions.

Use of bone densitometry by Ontario family physicians

A stratified (urban/rural), computer-generated random sample of 797 Ontario members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada received a self-administered questionnaire by mail. The questionnaire examined current use of bone densitometry, focusing on reasons for its use, factors that limit use, and features of the report that are helpful to the family physician in subsequent patient management. The response rate was 64% (457/711) after excluding 77 physicians who no longer practice family medicine. Ninety-two percent of the physicians used densitometry; of these, 97% ordered the test in the past year. Compared with urban physicians, rural physicians were more likely to 'never use densitometry' (p=0.04). Rural physicians who reported using densitometry used it less frequently (p=0.002), were less likely to have local access (p=0.001), and were less confident in its use (p=0.004) than their urban counterparts. Risk factors and hormone replacement therapy decision-making were ranked equally as the most frequent reasons for ordering the test, followed by follow-up. Few physicians identified limits to their use of densitometry. Female physicians used densitometry more frequently (p = 0.03) and were more confident in its use (p = 0.02). Features of the bone density report found to be most helpful were the statement of fracture risk, suggestions for further investigation, management and follow-up, and percent reduction in bone density compared with age-matched controls. The use of bone densitometry by Ontario family physicians is consistent with published guidelines. These physicians identified the estimate of fracture risk and suggestions for investigation and management as the most helpful features of the bone density report. This suggests a role for the incorporation of clinical data in bone density reporting.

Utilization and Short-Term Outcomes of Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in the United States and Canada: An Analysis of New York and Ontario Administrative Data

OBJECTIVE

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) are common and effective surgical procedures. This study sought to compare utilization and short-term outcomes of primary TKA and THA in adjacent regions of Canada and the United States.

METHODS

The study was designed as a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent primary TKA or THA, comparing administrative data from New York and Ontario in 2012-2013. Demographic features of the TKA and THA patients, per capita utilization rates, and short-term outcomes were compared between the jurisdictions.

RESULTS

A higher percentage of New York hospitals performed TKA compared to Ontario hospitals (75.7% versus 42.1%; P < 0.001), and the mean annual procedural volume for TKAs was lower in New York hospitals (mean 179 versus 327 in Ontario hospitals; P < 0.001). After direct standardization, utilization was significantly lower in New York compared to Ontario, both for TKA (16.1 TKAs versus 21.4 TKAs per 10,000 population per year; P < 0.001) and for THA (10.5 THAs versus 11.5 THAs per 10,000 population per year; P < 0.001). For those who underwent TKA, the length of stay in Ontario hospitals was significantly longer (mean 3.7 days versus 3.4 days in New York hospitals; P < 0.001). A smaller percentage of New York patients were discharged directly home (46.2% versus 90.9% of Ontario patients; P < 0.001), but 30-day and 90-day readmission rates were higher in New York compared to Ontario (30-day rates, 4.6% versus 3.9% [P < 0.001]; 90-day rates, 8.4% versus 6.7% [P < 0.001]). For the THA cohorts, the results with regard to length of stay, discharge disposition, and readmission rates were similar to those for TKA.

CONCLUSION

Ontario has higher utilization of total joint arthroplasty than New York but has a smaller percentage of hospitals performing these procedures. Patients are more likely to be discharged home and less likely to be readmitted in Ontario. Our results suggest areas where each jurisdiction could improve.

Uptake of the OMERACT-OARSI Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis Core Outcome Set: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials from 1997 to 2017

OBJECTIVE

To assess the uptake of the OMERACT-OARSI (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology- Osteoarthritis Research Society International) core outcome set (COS) domains in hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA) trials.

METHODS

There were 382 trials of hip and/or knee OA identified from the ClinicalTrial.gov registry from 1997 to 2017. Frequency of COS adoption was assessed by year and per 5-yearly phases.

RESULTS

COS adoption decreased from 61% between 1997 and 2001 to 38% between 2012 and 2016. Pain (95%) and physical function (86%) were most consistently adopted. Patient's global assessment (48%) was the principal missing domain.

CONCLUSION

Limited adoption of the COS domains indicates that further consideration to improve uptake is required.

You'll know when you're ready: a qualitative study exploring how patients decide when the time is right for joint replacement surgery

Background

While some studies have identified patient readiness as a key component in their decision whether to have total joint replacement surgery (TJR), none have examined how patients determine their readiness for surgery. The study purpose was to explore the concept of patient readiness and describe the factors patients consider when assessing their readiness for TJR.

Methods

Nine focus groups (4 pre-surgery, 5 post-surgery) were held in four Canadian cities. Participants had been either referred to or seen by an orthopaedic surgeon for TJR or had undergone TJR. The method of analysis was qualitative thematic analysis.

Results

There were 65 participants, 66% female and 34% male, 80% urban, with an average age of 65 years (SD 10). Readiness reflected both the surgeon’s advice that the patient was clinically ready for surgery and the patient’s feeling that they were both mentally and physically ready for surgery. Mental readiness was described as an internal state or feeling of being ready or prepared while physical readiness was described as being physically fit and in good shape for surgery. Factors associated with readiness included: 1) pain: its severity, the ability to cope with it, and how it affected their quality of life; 2) mental preparation; 3) physical preparation; 4) the optimal timing of surgery, including age, anticipated rate of deterioration, prosthesis lifespan and the length of the waiting list.

Conclusions

Patient readiness should be assessed prior to TJR. By assessing patient readiness, health professionals can elucidate and deal with concerns and fears, understand and calibrate expectations, assess coping strategies, and use this information to help determine optimal timing, both before and after the surgical consultation.

Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale: Minor changes were required after telephone administration among women

OBJECTIVE

The Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS) is a 42-item scale designed to measure general health motivation, perceived susceptibility to and seriousness of osteoporosis, and beliefs about calcium intake and exercise in preventing and treating osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the OHBS by telephone administration among older women.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

A convenience sample of 425 women aged 61-93 years participating in a longitudinal arthritis study was recruited by telephone. Item clarity was evaluated and 22 additional items (6 reworded, 16 from other questionnaires) were considered to supplement or replace existing scale items. Multitrait scaling techniques and exploratory factor analysis were used to test scale structure. Construct validity was tested based on theoretical hypothesis between OHBS subscale scores and participant characteristics.

RESULTS

A few modifications to the OHBS scale were suggested, reducing the scale by five items (two redundant, three did not load), rewording one item and moving on item to a different subscale. The modified 37-item OHBS had a seven-factor uncorrelated solution explaining 48% of the model variance with internal consistency ranging from 0.73 to 0.88.

CONCLUSION

Relatively minor changes to the OHBS results in reduced redundancy and improved internal structure of the scale for telephone administration among women over 60 years of age. Further examination is recommended to confirm these findings.

Symptom assessment in knee osteoarthritis needs to account for physical activity level

OBJECTIVE

Pain is not always correlated with severity of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA), possibly because people modify activities to manage symptoms. Measures of symptoms that consider pain in the context of activity level may therefore provide greater discrimination than a measure of pain alone. We undertook this study to compare discrimination provided by a measure of pain alone with that provided by combined measures of pain in the context of physical activity across radiographic OA severity levels.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study nested within the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). The population was drawn from 2,127 persons enrolled in an OAI accelerometer monitoring substudy, including those with and those without knee OA. Two composite pain and activity knee symptom (PAKS) scores were calculated as the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score (plus 1) divided by a physical activity measure (step count for the first PAKS score [PAKS1 score] and activity count for the second PAKS score [PAKS2 score]). Symptom score discrimination across Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grades was evaluated using histograms and quantile regression.

RESULTS

A total of 1,806 participants (55.5% of whom were women) were included (mean ± SD age 65.1 ± 9.1 years, mean ± SD body mass index 28.4 ± 4.8 kg/m(2) ). The WOMAC pain score, but not the PAKS scores, exhibited a floor effect. The adjusted median WOMAC pain scores by K/L grades 0-4 were 0, 0, 0, 1, and 3, respectively. The adjusted median PAKS1 scores were 24.9, 26.0, 32.4, 46.1, and 97.9, respectively, and the adjusted median PAKS2 scores were 7.2, 7.2, 9.2, 12.9, and 23.8, respectively. The PAKS scores had more statistically significant comparisons between K/L grades than did the WOMAC pain score.

CONCLUSION

Symptom assessments incorporating pain and physical activity did not exhibit a floor effect and were better able to discriminate radiographic severity than an assessment of pain alone, particularly in milder disease. Pain in the context of physical activity level should be used to assess knee OA symptoms.

Association between allopurinol and cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality in diabetes: A retrospective, population-based cohort study

AIM

To assess the association between allopurinol and mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in an allopurinol-treated diabetes cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada. Eligible subjects were ≥ 66 years old with diabetes and a first prescription for allopurinol between 1 April, 2002 and 31 March, 2012 and were followed until 31 March, 2016. The primary outcome was a composite: all-cause mortality, non-fatal cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, revascularization procedure, or stroke) or congestive heart failure (CHF). Secondary outcomes were components of the primary outcome and pneumonia as a negative tracer. Allopurinol was modelled as time-varying exposed versus unexposed, daily dose category and cumulative dose using sex-specific multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 4.65 years (interquartile range 1.79-7.81), 16 266/23 103 males and 10 571/15 313 females experienced the primary outcome. Allopurinol was associated with a reduction in the primary outcome [adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.75-0.80) and 0.81 (0.78-0.84) for males and females, respectively], driven by marked reductions in all-cause mortality and modest reductions in cardiovascular events/CHF. There was no effect of cumulative allopurinol dose on any outcome, and allopurinol was also associated with reduced risk of pneumonia in males [aHR 0.88 (0.83, 0.93)].

CONCLUSIONS

Allopurinol was associated with reduced mortality and cardiovascular outcomes. However, lack of cumulative dose effect and a positive tracer outcome in males suggests residual bias. Future research assessing whether allopurinol prevents vascular complications in diabetes requires a clinical trial.

Effect of Biomechanical Footwear on Knee Pain in People With Knee Osteoarthritis: The BIOTOK Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Individually calibrated biomechanical footwear therapy may improve pain and physical function in people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, but the benefits of this therapy are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of a biomechanical footwear therapy vs control footwear over 24 weeks of follow-up.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized clinical trial conducted at a Swiss university hospital. Participants (N = 220) with symptomatic, radiologically confirmed knee osteoarthritis were recruited between April 20, 2015, and January 10, 2017. The last participant visit occurred on August 15, 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomized to biomechanical footwear involving shoes with individually adjustable external convex pods attached to the outsole (n = 111) or to control footwear (n = 109) that had visible outsole pods that were not adjustable and did not create a convex walking surface.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was knee pain at 24 weeks of follow-up assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscore standardized to range from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (extreme symptoms). The secondary outcomes included WOMAC physical function and stiffness subscores and the WOMAC global score, all ranging from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (extreme symptoms) at 24 weeks of follow-up, and serious adverse events.

RESULTS

Among the 220 randomized participants (mean age, 65.2 years [SD, 9.3 years]; 104 women [47.3%]), 219 received the allocated treatment and 213 (96.8%) completed follow-up. At 24 weeks of follow-up, the mean standardized WOMAC pain subscore improved from 4.3 to 1.3 in the biomechanical footwear group and from 4.0 to 2.6 in the control footwear group (between-group difference in scores at 24 weeks of follow-up, -1.3 [95% CI, -1.8 to -0.9]; P < .001). The results were consistent for WOMAC physical function subscore (between-group difference, -1.1 [95% CI, -1.5 to -0.7]), WOMAC stiffness subscore (between-group difference, -1.4 [95% CI, -1.9 to -0.9]), and WOMAC global score (between-group difference, -1.2 [95% CI, -1.6 to -0.8]) at 24 weeks of follow-up. Three serious adverse events occurred in the biomechanical footwear group compared with 9 in the control footwear group (2.7% vs 8.3%, respectively); none were related to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among participants with knee pain from osteoarthritis, use of biomechanical footwear compared with control footwear resulted in an improvement in pain at 24 weeks of follow-up that was statistically significant but of uncertain clinical importance. Further research would be needed to assess long-term efficacy and safety, as well as replication, before reaching conclusions about the clinical value of this device.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02363712.

Frequency of and variation in low-value care in primary care: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Low-value care, defined as care with a lack of benefit, can lead to higher health care costs, inconvenience to patients and, in some cases, harm to patients. The objectives of this study are to conduct exploratory analyses to understand how frequently selected low-value tests are ordered, to assess the degree of variation in ordering that exists across regions and practices, and to identify services that may warrant further investigation and targeted interventions.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using administrative health care databases from Ontario to identify rates of use of the following low-value services between fiscal years 2008/09 and 2012/13: computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after a diagnosis of low back pain, Papanicolaou testing in women less than 21 years of age or older than 69 years of age and repeated dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning within 2 years of an index scan. Regional and practice-level rates were calculated. Bivariate analyses were conducted to explore associations between patient factors and repeat DEXA scans.

RESULTS

Repeated DEXA scans were the most common service (21.0%), whereas cervical cancer screening among women less than 21 years of age or older than 69 years of age (8.0%) and CT or MRI imaging for low back pain (4.5%) were less common. There was substantial variation across practices with rates of repeated DEXA scans, ranging from 4.0% to 54.9%, and cervical cancer screening, ranging from 0.9% to 35.2%. Patients with a high-risk index DEXA were more likely to receive a repeat scan (28.1%) than those with a baseline (8.9%) or low-risk (8.1%) scan.

INTERPRETATION

There is significant, practice-level variation in the frequency of low-value testing for DEXA scans, back imaging and cervical cancer screening. There is a particular need for interventions that aim to reduce unnecessary DEXA scans.

The impact of hip and knee osteoarthritis on the subsequent risk of incident diabetes: a population-based cohort study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

This study examined the relationship between hip/knee osteoarthritis and incident diabetes. We hypothesised that hip/knee osteoarthritis would be independently related to an increased risk of incident diabetes and that this relationship would be due, at least in part, to walking difficulty. We also hypothesised a stronger relationship with incident diabetes for knee than hip osteoarthritis because of the higher prevalence in the former of obesity/the metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

A population cohort aged ≥55 years recruited from 1996 to 1998 was followed through provincial health administrative data to 2014. Participants with baseline diabetes were excluded. Hip/knee osteoarthritis was defined as swelling, pain or stiffness in any joint lasting 6 weeks in the past 3 months and indication on a joint homunculus that a hip/knee was 'troublesome'. Walking limitation was defined as self-reported difficulty standing or walking in the last 3 months (yes/no). Using Cox regressions, we examined the relationship of baseline hip/knee osteoarthritis with incident diabetes as defined from health administrative data, controlling for age, sex, BMI, income, prior hypertension, cardiovascular disease and primary care exposure. We tested whether the observed effect was mediated through walking limitation.

RESULTS

In total, 16,362 participants were included: median age 68 years and 61% female. Of these, 1637 (10%) individuals met the criteria for hip osteoarthritis, 2431 (15%) for knee osteoarthritis and 3908 (24%) for walking limitation. Over a median follow-up of 13.5 years (interquartile range 7.3-17.8), 3539 individuals (22%) developed diabetes. Controlling for confounders, a significant relationship was observed between number of hip/knee joints with osteoarthritis and incident diabetes: HR for two vs no osteoarthritic hips 1.25 (95% CI 1.08, 1.44); HR for two vs no osteoarthritic knees 1.16 (95% CI 1.04, 1.29). From 37% to 46% of this relationship was explained by baseline walking limitation.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

In a large population cohort aged ≥55 years who were free of diabetes at baseline, and controlling for confounders, the presence and burden of hip/knee osteoarthritis was a significant independent predictor of incident diabetes. This association was partially explained by walking limitation. Increased attention to osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis-related functional limitations has the potential to reduce diabetes risk.

Correlates of forearm bone mineral density in young Norwegian women: the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

Maximizing attainment of optimal peak bone mineral density (BMD) is a potential osteoporosis prevention strategy. The main objective of this study was to identify correlates of forearm BMD in young adult women. Population-based data derived from standardized questionnaires administered to healthy women aged 19-35 years in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway (n = 963), were collected in 1995-1997. Forearm BMD was assessed by single x-ray absorptiometry. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used to determine correlates of BMD (g/cm(2)) and lowest quintile of BMD, respectively, at the ultradistal and distal sites. The mean age and weight of the cohort were 29.7 years (standard deviation 4.7) and 68.6 kg (standard deviation 12.5), respectively. Age and weight were positively associated with BMD at both forearm sites. When data were controlled for age and weight, later age at menarche and lack of milk consumption were associated with lower BMD values. In both linear models and logistic models, none of the factors vitamin D intake, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, amenorrhea, oral contraceptive use, number of pregnancies, history of breastfeeding, and family history of osteoporosis were found to be significantly associated with BMD. Prior studies have suggested that calcium supplementation in children is useful for optimizing peak BMD. Further studies exploring the relation between lifestyle factors and BMD are warranted to search for ways to maximize attainment of peak BMD.

Qualitative study exploring the factors influencing physical therapy management of early knee osteoarthritis in Canada

OBJECTIVES

Increasingly, there is emphasis on identifying and initiating treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in the early phases of the disease. This study aimed to identify the perceived barriers and facilitators to managing clients with early knee OA and the contextual factors affecting implementation of care by physical therapists (PTs).

DESIGN

Qualitative study using in-depth semistructured interviews with 33 PTs. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively using thematic analysis.

SETTING

Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

A purposive sample of PTs who managed clients with knee symptoms and/or diagnosed knee OA in community/outpatient settings in three provinces in Canada (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia).

RESULTS

Factors that affected physical therapy management of early knee OA were identified at four levels: the community, healthcare system, healthcare provider and client level. Some healthcare provider factors acted primarily as enablers of management, such as PTs' confidence in their ability to manage perceived early knee OA, PTs' beliefs about consequences of OA and the PT scope of practice. However, the study illuminated a range of modifiable factors that can act as barriers to management. These factors included access to services in the community and healthcare system; healthcare provider factors such as time, access to evidence and physician's role in referrals and messaging; and client factors related to client characteristics (eg, general health, socioeconomic status), engagement in management and beliefs about OA.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide us with a basis to begin to address specific barriers and to optimise care for early knee OA.

Fundamentals of osteoarthritis: outcome evaluation with patient-reported measures and functional tests

Evaluating outcome in osteoarthritis (OA) clinical research and practice requires reliable, valid and responsive patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and functional tests that reflect important problems experienced by people with OA. The goal of this work is to provide information to start to guide the reader in selecting measures for people with OA. In this narrative review, we begin by providing an overview of measurement properties that can help clinicians and researchers in making decisions about whether a measure might be appropriate for use in their research or clinical context. We then report evidence supporting the use of measures of pain (e.g., Pain Visual Analogue (VAS), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain, PROMIS Pain Interference, and, for screening in research, the painDETECT and the Self-report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs) and fatigue (e.g., PROMIS-Fatigue) at a group level in clinical research. Several multi-dimensional joint-specific measures (e.g., Western Ontario McMaster Universities' Osteoarthritis Outcomes Scale, Knee/Hip Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Oxford Hip/Knee Scale) also have evidence for group-level use. Functional tests (e.g., timed walk tests, 30 Second Chair Stand, Timed Up and Go, etc.) have measurement properties supporting their use at the group level in clinical research and at the individual patient level as do the pain VAS and NPRS. Other generic and disease-specific PROMs have been used in or could be used in OA studies but their measurement properties require further evaluation in people with OA.

Factors that influence adherence to calcium recommendations

To identify barriers to following calcium recommendations among women with reduced bone mineral density (BMD), four focus group sessions were held with 30 postmenopausal women diagnosed with low BMD. Key concepts and themes were derived from transcripts. Participants were aware of the importance of calcium to their bone health, and were attempting to follow calcium intake recommendations. Several major themes associated with the ability to obtain adequate calcium were identified, including knowledge and confidence in actions, lifestyle and food preferences, and side effects and conflict with other health conditions. Participants reported that they obtained information in an effort to make a confident decision about calcium intake, but were easily confused by conflicting information. Daily routines and family and personal food preferences influenced dietary behaviours. Women indicated that side effects, particularly those associated with perceived lactose intolerance, caused them to restrict their calcium intake. Our data provide important insight into factors that women believe affect their ability to reach recommended calcium intakes. To optimize osteoporosis prevention and treatment, dietitians should focus on individualized patient assessments to identify factors affecting adherence to dietary calcium recommendations.

Osteoarthritis year in review 2014: clinical

A systematic search was conducted for the time period April 1 2013 to March 30 2014 using PubMed to identify major osteoarthritis (OA) clinical research themes of the past year. Articles within each theme were selected for inclusion in this review based on study quality and relevance. Two major themes emerged, which relate to the current understanding of OA as a heterogeneous condition with multiple pathogenic mechanisms and clinical manifestations. Theme 1 stems from the role of systemic inflammation in OA pathogenesis, and the concept of 'metabolic OA'. Over the past year, research has examined the effect of OA on incidence and progression of other 'metabolic syndrome'-related conditions, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes and the impact of multi-morbidity on the clinical management of OA. Theme 2 focuses on the concept of personalized medicine as it relates to the treatment of OA. It is hypothesized that the modest efficacy of available OA treatments is a result of inclusion of heterogeneous groups of OA patients in clinical trials. Prognostic studies in the past year have been helpful in identifying 'OA phenotypes' that are more or less likely to respond to treatments--e.g., the presence of synovitis on imaging, central pain sensitization on quantitative sensory testing (QST), or coping efficacy by self-reported patient questionnaire. Their findings are being increasingly used to target interventions to these identified 'OA responder' subgroups with the hopes that treatment effect will be amplified.

Variability in recommendations for total knee arthroplasty among rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons

OBJECTIVE

The most rapidly growing population of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is under the age of 65. The objective of our study was to gain insight into the factors influencing physicians' recommendations for persons in this age group with moderate osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons attending national meetings were asked to complete a survey including a standardized scenario of a 62-year-old person with knee OA who has moderate knee pain limiting strenuous activity despite medical management. We used an experimental 2 × 2 × 2 design to examine the effects of sex, employment status, and severity of radiographic OA on physicians' recommendations. Each physician was asked to rate a single scenario.

RESULTS

The percentage of physicians recommending TKA varied from 30% to 55% for scenarios describing a patient with mild radiographic OA, and from 39% to 71% for scenarios describing a patient with moderate radiographic OA. Surgeons were less likely to recommend TKA for women compared to men of the same age, employment status, symptom severity, and functional status, and radiographs. Rheumatologists practicing in academic settings were more likely to recommend TKA compared to those practicing in nonacademic settings, and American surgeons were more likely to recommend TKA compared to their European counterparts.

CONCLUSION

Orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists vary significantly in their recommendations for patients with moderate knee pain and functional limitations. Both patient and physician characteristics influence physicians' recommendations, and rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons display different patterns of decision making.

Cross-cultural validation of the ICOAP and physical function short forms of the HOOS and KOOS in a multi-country study of patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the internal consistency and construct validity of the Physical Function short-forms for the Hip and Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS) and the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP) in a nine country study of patients consulting for total hip or knee replacement (THR or TKR).

METHODS

Patients completed HOOS-PS or KOOS-PS, ICOAP and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities' Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and physical function subscales at their consultation visit. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. The association of HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS and ICOAP with WOMAC pain and function subscales was calculated with Spearman correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS and ICOAP demonstrated high internal consistency across countries (alpha 0.75-0.96 (hip) and 0.76-0.95 (knee)). Both HOOS-PS and KOOS-PS demonstrated high correlations (0.76-0.90 and 0.75-0.91, respectively) with WOMAC function in all countries. ICOAP exhibited moderate to high correlations with WOMAC pain and function subscales (0.53-0.84 (hip) and 0.43-0.84 (knee)).

CONCLUSION

The psychometric properties of the HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS, and ICOAP were maintained across all countries.

Development of an integrated-care delivery model for post-fracture care in Ontario, Canada

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to develop an integrated-care model for patients at highest risk for osteoporosis, those with a low-trauma fracture. Specific objectives were to describe the current processes and patterns of post-fracture care in hospitals in Ontario; to examine health-care professional and patient awareness of osteoporosis and the roles and responsibilities of various organizations and health care professionals; and to identify barriers and facilitators and obtain feedback on the model.

METHODS

In 2002, questionnaires were completed for 178 eligible hospitals.

RESULTS

Only 65% of hospitals inform primary-care physicians of a fracture for all patients and only 4% indicated that they provide information about osteoporosis. The main themes that emerged from the four patient focus groups (n=21) were lack of continuity of care, the absence of a link between the fracture and osteoporosis by both patients and health care providers, and need for information. Most participants agreed that something was needed to prompt their primary-care physician to investigate for osteoporosis. The four physician focus groups (n=26) identified a role for orthopaedic surgeons to flag cases.

CONCLUSIONS

From 34 key informant interviews with community-based organizations, we found a lack of integration between health care professionals who provide fracture care and those who provide osteoporosis management and fall prevention. Based on these data, we developed an integrated local-resource-based post-fracture care model, which we obtained feedback on at a stakeholder consultation workshop. The model focuses on improving emergency department/fracture clinic communication, emphasizes the need for follow-up investigation by family physicians for osteoporosis, and incorporates other health care professionals and a telemedicine multidisciplinary osteoporosis clinic. We are currently evaluating whether this model leads to an increase in appropriate investigation of and treatment for osteoporosis in patients with low-trauma fractures.