Associations Between Pain Patterns and Self-Reported Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Pain catastrophizing in rheumatic diseases: prevalence, origin, and implications

Pain is a crucial factor in rheumatic disorders, and reducing it is a primary goal of successful treatment. Adaptive pain-coping strategies can enhance this improvement, but maladaptive approaches such as pain catastrophizing may worsen overall patient well-being. This narrative review aims to provide a concise overview of the existing knowledge on pain catastrophizing in the most prevalent specific rheumatic disorders. The objective of this study was to improve understanding of this phenomenon and its implications, as well as to pinpoint potential directions for future research. We conducted searches in the MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, and DOAJ bibliography databases to identify articles related to pain catastrophizing in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondylarthritis, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and osteoarthritis (non-surgical treatment). Data extraction was performed on November 1, 2023. The investigators screened the identified articles to determine their relevance and whether they met the inclusion criteria. Following a bibliography search, which was further expanded by screening of citations and references, we included 156 records in the current review. The full-text analysis centred on pain catastrophizing, encompassing its prevalence, pathogenesis, and impact. The review established the role of catastrophizing in amplifying pain and diminishing various aspects of general well-being. Also, potential treatment approaches were discussed and summarised across the examined disorders. Pain catastrophizing is as a significant factor in rheumatic disorders. Its impact warrants further exploration through prospective controlled trials to enhance global patient outcomes.

Does weight-bearing versus non-weight-bearing pain reflect different pain mechanisms in knee osteoarthritis?: the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST)

OBJECTIVE

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is predominantly characterized by pain with weight-bearing activities. Pain at rest also occurs but the mechanisms for this are not clear. We evaluated the relations of nociceptive signal alterations to weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing pain in knee OA.

DESIGN

We used data from a NIH-funded longitudinal cohort of older adults with or at risk of knee OA. We evaluated quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures (pressure pain threshold (PPT) at patellae and the wrist; mechanical temporal summation (TS); conditioned pain modulation (CPM)). Each WOMAC pain question was dichotomized as having at least moderate pain, and we further categorized them as weight-bearing pain and non-weight-bearing pain. We evaluated the relation of QST measures to each pain outcome using logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

2,749 participants (5,479 knees) were included (mean age 64 ± 11, 57% female). Each SD unit decrease in patellar PPT was associated with greater odds of both weight-bearing pain (OR 1.51 (95% CI 1.27, 1.79)) and non-weight-bearing pain (OR 1.46 (1.20-1.77)), while wrist PPT was associated with greater odds of weight-bearing pain (OR 1.27 (1.15, 1.39)) but only with pain during sitting/lying (OR 1.20 (1.01, 1.43)). TS was significantly associated with greater odds of pain with walking and stairs (OR 1.11 (1.01, 1.23), 1.11 (1.03, 1.20), respectively). CPM was not associated with any pain outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings challenge the hypothesis that non-weight-bearing pain may reflect greater pain sensitization and/or inefficient CPM than weight-bearing pain in knee OA, suggesting other mechanisms are likely responsible.

Medium-term survival and clinical and radiological results in high tibial osteotomy: Factors for failure and comparison with unicompartmental arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are two surgical solutions for isolated medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. Results depend on preoperative criteria and patient selection, but also on postoperative factors: implant positioning, limb alignment. Factors for HTO survival need identifying to reduce risk of failure requiring total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

HYPOTHESIS

Age, gender, weight, osteoarthritis grade, degree of correction, type of osteotomy, technique and intraoperative complications impact HTO survival.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

As part of a symposium of the French Society of Arthroscopy (SFA), a multicenter retrospective study compared 2 series. The HTO series comprised 488 patients: 153 female (31.4%); mean age, 55.1 years; mean weight, 83.1kg; mean body-mass index (BMI), 28.6. The UKA series comprised 284 patients: 172 female (60.6%); mean age, 64.1 years; mean weight, 75.3kg; mean BMI, 27.6. The main endpoint was comparative survival at 5, 8 and 10 years; secondary endpoints comprised pre- and post-operative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, mechanical femoral angle (mFA) and mechanical tibial angle (mTA), surgical technique, satisfaction, time to and level of return to work, WOMAC and Tegner scores and complications rates. The significance threshold was set at p<0.05; 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

Age>54 years, male gender, BMI>25, medial tibiofemoral wear severity Ahlback ≥3, ≥0.9° varus joint component, HKA correction<8°, postoperative HKA<180° and hinge fracture were significantly associated with poorer survival. There was no impact of type of osteotomy, navigation assistance or postoperative HKA 183-186°. Ten-year survival was 74.3% for HTO and 71% for UKA (non-significant); however, survival curves crossed at 6 years.

CONCLUSION

HTO showed survival and functional results comparable to those of UKA in selected patients when target limb alignment correction was achieved. The present study determined selection criteria. A predictive score for results of either procedure would facilitate decision-making.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective cohort study.

The Association of Diabetes With Knee Pain Locations, Pain While Walking, and Walking Speed: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative

OBJECTIVE

Osteoarthritis (OA) and diabetes mellitus (DM) often coexist and can result in negative outcomes. DM can affect pain and walking speed in people with knee OA; however, the impact of DM on OA is understudied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between diabetes and knee pain locations, pain severity while walking, and walking speed in people with knee OA.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was used. Data from 1790 individuals from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (mean [SD] age = 69 [8.7] years) with knee pain were included and grouped into knee OA and diabetes (n = 236) or knee OA only (n = 1554). Knee pain locations were categorized as no pain, localized pain, regional pain, or diffuse pain. Knee pain during a 20-m walk test was categorized as no pain, mild, moderate, or severe knee pain. Walking speed was measured using the 20-m walk test. Multinomial and linear regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Diabetes was associated with regional knee pain (odds ratio [OR] = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.01-3.11). Diabetes was associated only with moderate (OR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.02-3.10) or severe (OR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.01-6.28) pain while walking. Diabetes was associated with decreased walking speed (B = -0.064; 95% CI = -0.09 to -0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes was associated with regional knee pain but not with localized or diffuse knee pain and was associated with moderate to severe knee pain while walking and slower walking speed in people with knee OA.

IMPACT

Clinicians can use a knee pain map for examining knee pain locations for people with diabetes and knee OA. Knee pain during walking and walking speed should be screened for people with knee OA and diabetes because of the influence of diabetes on these parameters in this population.

LAY SUMMARY

Diabetes might be associated with specific knee pain locations, pain during activities such as walking, and reduced walking speed in people with knee OA.