The osteoarthritis knowledge scale

Questionnaires assessing knowledge and beliefs about musculoskeletal conditions are potentially suitable for use, but further research is needed: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the measurement properties of Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for knowledge and/or beliefs about musculoskeletal conditions.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

A systematic review was performed according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines. This review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO - ID: CRD42022303111. Electronic databases, reference lists, forward citation tracking, and contact with experts were used to identify studies. Eligible studies were reports developing or assessing a measurement property of a PROM measuring musculoskeletal condition specific-knowledge and/or beliefs. We assessed the methodological quality and measurement properties of included studies. A modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation approach was used to rate the quality of evidence for each PROM.

RESULTS

The literature search was performed from inception to 11th September 2023. Sixty records were included, reporting 290 individual studies, and provided information on 25 PROMs. Five PROMs presented sufficient structural validity, three presented sufficient cross-cultural validity, ten presented sufficient reliability, three presented sufficient criterion validity, six presented sufficient hypothesis-testing, and four presented sufficient responsiveness. No PROM presented sufficient evidence for content validity, internal consistency, and measurement error. Based on the available evidence, no PROM was classified as suitable for use according to the COSMIN recommendations. Twenty-four PROMs are potentially suitable for use, and one PROM is not recommended for use.

CONCLUSION

No PROM designed to assess knowledge and/or beliefs about musculoskeletal conditions meets the COSMIN criteria of suitable for use. Most PROMs identified in this systematic review were considered as potentially suitable for use and need further high-quality research to assess their measurement properties.

Awareness and Perception Toward Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis and Their Preventive Measures Among the Adult Population in the Northern Borders Region, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee poses a significant public health challenge, with its prevalence escalating globally. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by investigating the awareness and perceptions of knee OA in the Northern Borders Region, Saudi Arabia, focusing on demographic factors that may influence community perspectives.

STUDY AIM

The primary aim of this cross-sectional study is to comprehensively examine the awareness and perceptions of knee OA, exploring the influence of demographic variables, including region, gender, age, nationality, and educational levels.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 501 participants from various cities in the Northern Borders Region, Saudi Arabia, were enrolled in this study. Demographic characteristics, including region, gender, age, nationality, and educational levels, were documented. A structured survey instrument was utilized to collect data on awareness and perceptions of knee OA. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to explore associations.

RESULTS

Demographic insights revealed a predominance of participants from Arar (37.50%) and Rafha (36.50%), with a nearly equal gender distribution (52.90% male, 47.10% female). The majority fell within the 31-45 age group (37.50%), and 97.60% were Saudi nationals. Educational levels varied, with 55.30% holding a bachelor's degree. Awareness levels indicated that 75.40% recognized obesity as a significant factor in knee OA. Significant associations were found between gender and acknowledgment of obesity (p = 0.021), as well as between age and awareness of obesity (p = 0.040). Non-Saudi participants exhibited a higher awareness of knee injury as a reason for arthritis (p = 0.028). Educational levels demonstrated significant associations with awareness of rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.012), growing old as a reason for knee arthritis (p = 0.002), and various preventive measures and treatment options.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a nuanced understanding of knee OA awareness and perceptions in the Northern Borders Region, Saudi Arabia. The high recognition of obesity as a risk factor, coupled with demographic variations, highlights the need for tailored health education interventions. Addressing gender-specific, age-related, and educational disparities is crucial for promoting effective community-wide initiatives to prevent and manage knee OA.

Effects of a Massive Open Online Course on osteoarthritis knowledge and pain self-efficacy in people with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis: protocol for the MOOC-OA randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent, chronic joint condition that commonly affects the knee and hip causing pain, impaired function, and reduced quality of life. As there is no cure, the main goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms via ongoing self-management predominantly consisting of exercise and weight loss (if indicated). However, many people with OA do not feel adequately informed about their condition and management options to self-manage effectively. Patient education is recommended by all OA Clinical Practice Guidelines to support appropriate self-management, but little is known about the optimal delivery method and content. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free, interactive, e-learning courses. They have been used to deliver patient education in other chronic health conditions but have not been used in OA.

METHODS

A two-arm parallel-design, assessor- and participant-blinded superiority randomised controlled trial. People with persistent knee/hip pain consistent with a clinical diagnosis of knee/hip OA (n = 120) are being recruited from the Australia-wide community. Participants are randomly allocated into one of two groups i) electronic information pamphlet (control group) or ii) MOOC (experimental group). Those allocated to the control group receive access to an electronic pamphlet about OA and its recommended management, currently available from a reputable consumer organisation. Those allocated to the MOOC receive access to a 4-week 4-module interactive consumer-facing e-Learning course about OA and its recommended management. Course design was informed by behaviour theory and learning science, and consumer preferences. The two primary outcomes are OA knowledge and pain self-efficacy with a primary endpoint of 5 weeks and a secondary endpoint of 13 weeks. Secondary outcomes include measures of fear of movement, exercise self-efficacy, illness perceptions, OA management and health professional care seeking intentions, physical activity levels, and actual use of physical activity/exercise and weight loss, pain medication, and health professional care seeking to manage joint symptoms. Clinical outcomes and process measures are also collected.

DISCUSSION

Findings will determine whether a comprehensive consumer-facing MOOC improves OA knowledge and confidence to self-manage joint pain compared to a currently available electronic OA information pamphlet.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Prospectively registered (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ID: ACTRN12622001490763).