Factors Associated With the Outcome of a First-Line Intervention for Patients With Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis or Both: Data From the BOA Register

The coexistence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity is associated with worse pain outcomes following exercise for osteoarthritis: A cohort study on 80,893 patients

OBJECTIVES

To investigate how the co-occurrence of diabetes, hypertension and overweight/obesity is associated with pain following an exercise intervention for knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Register-based cohort study. We included people from the Swedish Osteoarthritis Register who underwent education and exercise for knee or hip OA. Diabetes and hypertension were defined using medical records and dispensation of medication. Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to identify people with overweight (≥25 to <30), and obesity (≥30). We used linear mixed-effect models with patients nested into clinics to estimate the associations between the exposures and pain (Numeric Rating Scale 0-10), adjusting for age, sex, education, and physical activity.

RESULTS

We analysed 80,893 patients with knee or hip OA. The accumulation of metabolic conditions was associated with worse pain at baseline and follow-ups. When obesity, hypertension and diabetes coexisted, patients treated for knee OA reported more pain at baseline (adjusted mean pain difference 0.9 [95 %CI: 0.8; 1.0]), 3 months (1.0 [0.9; 1.1]) and 12 months (1.3 [1.1; 1.4]) compared to those without any of the conditions. Similar results were observed for patients treated for hip OA when obesity, hypertension and diabetes coexisted (baseline (0.7 [0.5; 0.8], 3 (0.8[0.6; 1.0]) and 12 months (1.1[0.8; 1.3]).

CONCLUSIONS

When diabetes, hypertension and obesity coexist with OA, patients not only experience heightened baseline pain compared to metabolically healthy individuals, but the disparity increases after an education and exercise intervention suggesting that a one-size-fits-all approach may be inadequate in addressing the complex interplay between metabolic health and OA.

Prior Authorization Leads to Administrative Burden and Delays in Treatment in Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients

BACKGROUND

The prior authorization (PA) process is often criticized by physicians due to increased administrative burden and unnecessary delays in treatment. The effects of PA policies on total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have not been well described. The purpose of this study was to analyze the use of PA in a high-volume orthopaedic practice across 4 states.

METHODS

We prospectively collected data on 28,725 primary THAs and TKAs performed at our institution between 2020 and 2023. Data collected included patient demographics, payer approval or denial, time to approval or denial, the number of initial denials, the number of peer-to-peer (P2P) or addenda, and the reasons for denial.

RESULTS

Seven thousand five hundred twenty eight (56.4%) patients undergoing THA and 8,283 (54%) patients undergoing TKA required PA, with a mean time to approval of 26.3 ± 34.6 and 33.7 ± 41.5 days, respectively. Addenda were requested in 608 of 7,528 (4.6%) THA patients and 737 of 8,283 (8.9%) TKA patients. From a total of 312 (4.1%) THA patients who had an initial denial, a P2P was requested for 50 (0.7%) patients, and only 27 (0.4%) were upheld after the PA process. From a total of 509 (6.1%) TKA patients who had an initial denial, a P2P was requested for 55 (0.7%) patients, and only 26 (0.3%) were upheld after the PA process. The mean time to denial in the THA group was 64.7 ± 83.5, and the most common reasons for denial were poor clinical documentation (25.9%) and lack of coverage (25.9%). The mean time to denial in the TKA group was 63.4 ± 103.9 days, and the most common reason for denial was not specified by the payer (46.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of PA to approve elective THA and TKA led to increased surgical waiting times and a high administrative burden for surgeons and healthcare staff.

Implementing an osteoarthritis management program to deliver guideline-driven care for knee and hip osteoarthritis in a U.S. academic health system

Objective

Assess implementation feasibility and outcomes for an Osteoarthritis Management Program (OAMP) at an academic center.

Design

This open study assessed an OAMP designed to deliver care in 1-5 individual or group visits across ≤12 months. Eligibility included adults with knee or hip osteoarthritis with ≥1 visit from 7/1/2017-1/15/2021. A multidisciplinary care team provided: education on osteoarthritis, self-management, exercise, weight loss; pharmacologic management; assessments of mood, sleep, quality of life, and diet. Clinic utilization and growth are reported through 2022. Patient outcomes of body mass index (BMI), pain, and function were analyzed using multivariable general linear models. OAMP outcomes were feasibility and sustainability.

Results

Most patients were locally referred by primary care. 953 patients attended 2531 visits (average visits 2.16, treatment duration 187.9 days). Most were female (72.6%), older (62.1), white (91.1%), and had medical insurance (95.4%). Obesity was prevalent (84.7% BMI ≥30, average BMI 40.9), mean Charlson Comorbidity Index was 1.89, and functional testing was below average. Longitudinal modeling revealed statistically but not clinically significant pain reduction (4.4-3.9 on 0-10 scale, p ​= ​0.002). BMI did not significantly change (p ​= ​0.87). Higher baseline pain and BMI correlated with greater reductions in each posttreatment. Uninsured patients had shorter treatment duration. Increasing clinic hours (4-24 ​h weekly) and serving 953 patients over four years demonstrated OAMP sustainability.

Conclusions

OAMP implementation was feasible and sustainable. Patients with high baseline pain and BMI were more likely to improve. Noninsurance was a barrier. These results contribute to understanding OAMP outcomes in U.S. healthcare.

Income-Related Inequality Changes in Osteoarthritis First-Line Interventions: A Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine income-related inequality changes in the outcomes of an osteoarthritis (OA) first-line intervention.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Swedish health care system.

PARTICIPANTS

We included 115,403 people (age: 66.2±9.7 years; females 67.8%; N=115,403) with knee (67.8%) or hip OA (32.4%) recorded in the "Swedish Osteoarthritis Registry" (SOAR).

INTERVENTIONS

Exercise and education.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Erreygers' concentration index (E) measured income-related inequalities in "Pain intensity," "Self-efficacy," "Use of NSAIDs," and "Desire for surgery" at baseline, 3-month, and 12-month follow-ups and their differences over time. E-values range from -1 to +1 if the health variables are more concentrated among people with lower or higher income. Zero represents perfect equality. We used entropy balancing to address demographic and outcome imbalances and bootstrap replications to estimate confidence intervals for E differences over time.

RESULTS

Comparing baseline to 3 months, "pain" concentrated more among individuals with lower income initially (E=-0.027), intensifying at 3 months (difference with baseline: E=-0.011 [95% CI: -0.014; -0.008]). Similarly, the "Desire for surgery" concentrated more among individuals with lower income initially (E=-0.009), intensifying at 3 months (difference with baseline: E=-0.012 [-0.018; -0.005]). Conversely, "Self-efficacy" concentrated more among individuals with higher income initially (E=0.058), intensifying at 3 months (difference with baseline: E=0.008 [0.004; 0.012]). Lastly, the "Use of NSAIDs" concentrated more among individuals with higher income initially (E=0.068) but narrowed at 3 months (difference with baseline: E=-0.029 [-0.038; -0.021]). Comparing baseline with 12 months, "pain" concentrated more among individuals with lower income initially (E=-0.024), intensifying at 12 months (difference with baseline: E=-0.017 [-0.022; -0.012]). Similarly, the "Desire for surgery" concentrated more among individuals with lower income initially (E=-0.016), intensifying at 12 months (difference with baseline: E=-0.012 [-0.022; -0.002]). Conversely, "Self-efficacy" concentrated more among individuals with higher income initially (E=0.059), intensifying at 12 months (difference with baseline: E=0.016 [0.011; 0.021]). The variable 'Use of NSAIDs' was not recorded in the SOAR at 12-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our results highlight the increase of income-related inequalities in the SOAR over time.

Factors Associated With Adherence to a Supervised Exercise Intervention for Osteoarthritis: Data From the Swedish Osteoarthritis Registry

OBJECTIVE

To explore how lifestyle and demographic, socioeconomic, and disease-related factors are associated with supervised exercise adherence in an osteoarthritis (OA) management program and the ability of these factors to explain exercise adherence.

METHODS

A cohort register-based study on participants from the Swedish Osteoarthritis Registry who attended the exercise part of a nationwide Swedish OA management program. We ran a multinomial logistic regression to determine the association of exercise adherence with the abovementioned factors. We calculated their ability to explain exercise adherence with the McFadden R2 .

RESULTS

Our sample comprises 19,750 participants (73% female, mean ± SD age 67 ± 8.9 years). Among them, 5,862 (30%) reached a low level of adherence, 3,947 (20%) a medium level, and 9,941 (50%) a high level. After a listwise deletion, the analysis was run on 16,685 participants (85%), with low levels of adherence as the reference category. Some factors were positively associated with high levels of adherence, such as older age (relative risk ratio [RRR] 1.01 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.01-1.02] per year), and the arthritis-specific self-efficacy (RRR 1.04 [95% CI 1.02-1.07] per 10-point increase). Others were negatively associated with high levels of adherence, such as female sex (RRR 0.82 [95% CI 0.75-0.89]), having a medium (RRR 0.89 [95% CI 0.81-0.98] or a high level of education (RRR 0.84 [95% CI 0.76-0.94]). Nevertheless, the investigating factors could explain 1% of the variability in exercise adherence (R2 = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Despite the associations reported above, the poorly explained variability suggests that strategies based on lifestyle and demographic, socioeconomic, and disease-related factors are unlikely to improve exercise adherence significantly.

Within-person change in patient-reported outcomes and their association with the wish to undergo joint surgery during a digital first-line intervention for osteoarthritis

AIM

To study the association between within-person changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) and wish for joint surgery during participation in a digital first-line intervention comprising exercise and education for knee/hip osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Retrospective observational registry study. Participants enrolled between June 1, 2018 and October 30, 2021, with follow-up data at three months (n = 13,961). We used asymmetric fixed effect (conditional) logistic regressions to study the association between change in wish to undergo surgery at last available time point (3, 6, 9, or 12 months) and improvement or worsening of PROMs pain (0-10), quality of life (QoL) (EQ5D-5L, 0.243-0.976), overall health (0-10), activity impairment (0-10), walking difficulties (yes/no), fear of movement (yes/no), and Knee/Hip injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score 12 Items (KOOS-12/HOOS-12, 0-100) function and QoL subscales.

RESULTS

The proportion of participants wishing to undergo surgery declined by 2% (95% CI: 1.9, 3.0), from 15.7% at the baseline to 13.3% at 3 months. Generally, improvements in PROMs were associated with reduced likelihood of wishing for surgery, while worsening was associated with increased likelihood. For pain, activity impairment EQ-5D and KOOS/HOOS QoL, a worsening led to a change in the probability of wish for surgery of larger absolute magnitude than an improvement in the same PROM.

CONCLUSIONS

Within-person improvements in PROMs are associated with reduced wish for surgery while worsenings with an increased wish for surgery. Larger improvements in PROMs may be needed to match the magnitude of the change in wish for surgery associated with a worsening in the same PROM.

What Factors Identified in Initial Osteoarthritis Management Are Associated With Poor Patient-reported Outcomes After THA? A Register-based Study

BACKGROUND

Some patients report long-term pain or no improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) or are dissatisfied after THA. However, factors associated with these poorer patient-reported outcomes after surgery are inconsistent and have typically been studied in the late phase of hip osteoarthritis (OA) among patients already eligible for surgery. Earlier identification of risk factors would provide time to address modifiable factors, helping to improve patients' pain, HRQoL, and satisfaction after surgery and reduce the burden on orthopaedic clinics by referring patients who are better prepared for surgery.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We analyzed data from patients with hip OA referred to a first-line OA intervention program in primary healthcare at a stage when they had not been referred for THA, and asked: (1) What percentage of patients who proceed to THA report lack of improvement in pain, lack of improvement in HRQoL as measured by the EQ-5D, or are not satisfied with surgery 1 year after THA? (2) What associations exist between baseline factors at referral to this first-line OA intervention program and these poorer patient-reported outcomes 1 year after THA?

METHODS

We included 3411 patients with hip OA (mean age 67 ± 9 years, 63% [2160 of 3411] women) who had been referred for first-line OA interventions between 2008 and 2015 and subsequently underwent THA for OA. All patients were initially identified through the Swedish Osteoarthritis Register, which follows and evaluates patients in a standardized national first-line OA intervention program. Then, we identified those who were also registered in the Swedish Arthroplasty Register with a THA during the study period. We included only those with complete patient-reported outcome measures for pain, HRQoL, and satisfaction preoperatively and 1-year postoperatively, representing 78% (3411 of 4368) of patients, who had the same baseline characteristics as nonrespondents. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the associations between 14 baseline factors and the aforementioned patient-reported outcomes of pain, HRQoL, and satisfaction 1 year after THA, adjusted for all included factors.

RESULTS

Five percent (156 of 3411) of the study population lacked improvement in pain, 11% (385 of 3411) reported no improvement in HRQoL, and 10% (339 of 3411) reported they were not satisfied with surgery 1 year after THA. Charnley Class C (multiple-joint OA or another condition that affects the ability to walk) was associated with all outcomes: lack of improvement in pain (OR 1.84 [95% CI 1.24 to 2.71]; p = 0.002), lack of improvement in HRQoL (OR 1.83 [95% CI 1.42 to 2.36]; p < 0.001), and not being satisfied (OR 1.40 [95% CI 1.07 to 1.82]; p = 0.01). Older age was associated with a lack of improvement in pain (OR per year 1.03 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.05]; p = 0.02), lack of improvement in HRQoL (OR per year 1.04 [95% CI 1.03 to 1.06]; p < 0.001), and not being satisfied (OR per year 1.03 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.05]; p < 0.001). Depression was associated with a lack of improvement in pain (OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.00 to 2.35]; p = 0.050) and with not being satisfied (OR 1.50 [95% CI 1.11 to 2.04]; p = 0.01) but not with a lack of improvement in HRQoL (OR 1.04 [95% CI 0.76 to 1.43]; p = 0.79). Having four or more comorbidities was associated with a lack of improvement in HRQoL (OR 2.08 [95% CI 1.39 to 3.10]; p < 0.001) but not with a lack of improvement in pain and not being satisfied.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that older age, Charley Class C, and depression in patients with first-line OA interventions were risk factors associated with poorer outcomes regarding pain, HRQoL, and satisfaction after THA. Screening patients with hip OA for depression early in the disease course would provide increased time to optimize treatments and may contribute to better patient-reported pain, HRQoL, and satisfaction after future THA. Further research should focus on identifying the optimal time for surgery in patients with depression, as well as what targeted interventions for depression can improve outcome of surgery in these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Patients Who Have Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 3 and 4 Osteoarthritis Benefit Equally From Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Recently, some payers have limited access to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to patients who have Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade 4 osteoarthritis only. This study compared the outcomes of patients who have KL grade 3 and 4 osteoarthritis after TKA to determine if this new policy is justified.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of a series originally established to collect outcomes for a single, cemented implant design. A total of 152 patients underwent primary, unilateral TKA at two centers from 2014 to 2016. Only patients who had KL grade 3 (n = 69) or 4 (n = 83) osteoarthritis were included. There was no difference in age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, or preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS) between the groups. Patients who had KL grade 4 disease had a higher body mass index. KSS and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) were collected preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Generalized linear models were used to compare outcomes.

RESULTS

Controlling for demographics, improvements in KSS were comparable between the groups at all time points. There was no difference in KSS, FJS, and the proportion that achieved the patient acceptable symptom state for FJS at 2 years.

CONCLUSION

Patients who had KL grade 3 and 4 osteoarthritis experienced similar improvement at all time points up to 2 years after primary TKA. There is no justification for payers to deny access to surgical treatment for patients who have KL grade 3 osteoarthritis and have otherwise failed nonoperative treatment.

Primary care-based models of care for osteoarthritis; a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To identify and describe the extent, nature, characteristics, and impact of primary care-based models of care (MoCs) for osteoarthritis (OA) that have been developed and/or evaluated.

DESIGN

Six electronic databases were searched from 2010 to May 2022. Relevant data were extracted and collated for narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Sixty-three studies pertaining to 37 discrete MoCs from 13 countries were included, of which 23 (62%) could be classified as OA management programmes (OAMPs) comprising a self-management intervention to be delivered as a discrete package. Four models (11%) focussed on enhancing the initial consultation between a patient presenting with OA at the first point of contact into a local health system and the clinician. Emphasis was placed on educational training for general practitioners (GPs) and allied healthcare professionals delivering this initial consultation. The remaining 10 MoCs (27%) detailed integrated care pathways of onward referral to specialist secondary orthopaedic and rheumatology care within local healthcare systems. The majority (35/37; 95%) were developed in high-income countries and 32/37 (87%) targeted hip/and or knee OA. Frequently identified model components included GP-led care, referral to primary care services and multidisciplinary care. The models were predominantly 'one-size fits all' and lacked individualised care approaches. A minority of MoCs, 5/37 (14%) were developed using underlying frameworks, three (8%) of which incorporated behaviour change theories, while 13/37 (35%) incorporated provider training. Thirty-four of the 37 models (92%) were evaluated. Outcome domains most frequently reported included clinical outcomes, followed by system- and provider-level outcomes. While there was evidence of improved quality of OA care associated with the models, effects on clinical outcomes were mixed.

CONCLUSION

There are emerging efforts internationally to develop evidence-based models focused on non-surgical primary care OA management. Notwithstanding variations in healthcare systems and resources, future research should focus on model development alignment with implementation science frameworks and theories, key stakeholder involvement including patient and public representation, provision of training and education for providers, treatment individualisation, integration and coordination of services across the care continuum and incorporation of behaviour change strategies to foster long-term adherence and self-management.

Identifying Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Users Among People with Osteoarthritis Through Administrative and Clinician-Reported Data - A Validation Study of 116,162 Patients

Purpose

(i) To report the prevalence of participants to a first-line intervention for OA in Sweden using over-the-counter (OTC) and/or prescribed NSAIDs; (ii) To estimate the accuracy of dispensed prescriptions of NSAIDs recorded in a Swedish health-care register to capture the use of NSAID considering clinician-report as reference standard.

Methods

Register-based study. We used data from OA individuals who participated in the Swedish first-line intervention recorded in the Swedish Osteoarthritis Register (SOAR). SOAR includes clinician-reported use of NSAIDs in the three months preceding the intervention. We used the Prescribed Drug Register to retrieve data on NSAID prescriptions dispensed in the same period. We estimated the prevalence of OTC users (individuals with clinicians-reported use of NSAID but no prescription dispensed), prescription users (individuals with clinicians-reported use of NSAID and a prescription dispensed) and non-users (neither of the previous). We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of dispensed prescriptions of NSAIDs vs clinician-report.

Results

We included 116,162 individuals (mean age [Standard Deviation]: 66 [9.6] years, 79% women, 77% knee OA). Overall, 24.7% (95% Confidence Intervals [CI] 24.5%; 25.0%) used OTC NSAIDs only, 18.2% (18.0%; 18.5%) used prescribed NSAIDs, 6.6% (6-4%; 6.7%) reported not using NSAIDs while having an NSAID prescription dispensed. Of the 49,913 individuals with clinician-reported use of NSAIDs, 21,190 had a prescription dispensed (sensitivity: 42.5% [95% CI 42.0%, 42.9%]; positive predictive value: 73.5% [73.0%, 74.0%]). Of the 66,249 individuals reporting not using NSAIDs, 58,617 did not have a prescription dispensed (specificity: 88.5% [88.2%, 88.7%]; negative predictive value: 67.1% [66.8%, 67.4%]).

Conclusion

Overall, 24.7% of participants in a first-line intervention for OA used OTC NSAIDs only while 18.2% used prescribed NSAIDs. Dispensed prescriptions of NSAIDs have high specificity but low sensitivity and can correctly identify about 70% of both the non-users and users in this population.

Factors associated with clinically relevant pain reduction after a self-management program including education and exercise for people with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis: Data from the BOA register

AIM

To examine the associations between individual- and disease-related factors and the odds of reaching a clinically relevant pain reduction in people with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent a first-line self-management program.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An observational registry-based study including people with knee (n = 18,871) and hip (n = 7,767) OA who participated in a self-management program including education and exercise and had data recorded in the Better Management of patients with Osteoarthritis (BOA) register. We used multivariable logistic regression models to study the association between sex, age, body mass index (BMI), education, comorbidity, pain frequency, walking difficulties, willingness to undergo surgery and the odds of reaching a clinically relevant pain reduction (decrease of >33% on a 0-10 NRS scale) 3 and 12 months after the intervention. All analyses were stratified by joint (knee/hip).

RESULTS

Both in the short- and long-term follow-up, a younger age (18-65 years), a lower BMI (< 25), a higher level of education (university), the absence of comorbidities impacting the ability to walk, less frequent pain and not being willing to undergo surgery were associated with higher odds of reaching a clinically relevant pain reduction in people with knee OA. We found similar results for people with hip OA, but with larger uncertainty in the estimates (wider 95% CI).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that early fist line self-management interventions delivered when people have unilateral hip or knee OA with less frequent pain and are unwilling to undergo surgery, may be important for reaching a clinically relevant pain reduction after participation. Providing the most appropriate treatment to the right patient at the right time is a step in reducing the burden of OA for society and the patient.

Do Patients With Intersectional Disadvantage Have Poorer Outcomes From Osteoarthritis Management Programs? A Tapered Balancing Study of Patient Outcomes From the Good Life With Osteoarthritis in Denmark Program

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether adults with potential multiple social disadvantage have poorer outcomes following attendance in an osteoarthritis (OA) management program (OAMP), and if so, what might determine this result.

METHODS

Among consecutive knee OA attendees of the Good Life With Osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D) OAMP in Denmark we defined a group with potential "intersectional disadvantage" based on self-reported educational attainment, country of birth, and citizenship. Outcomes of this group were compared with GLA:D participants who were native Danish citizens with higher educational attainment. Outcomes were pain intensity, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) quality of life subscale score, and the EuroQol 5-domain instrument in 5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) score at 3 and 12 months. After data preprocessing, we used entropy balancing to sequentially control for differences between the groups in baseline covariates. Mean between-group differences in outcomes were estimated by weighted linear regression.

RESULTS

Of 18,448 eligible participants, 250 (1.4%) were nonnative/foreign citizens with lower education. After balancing for differences in baseline score and in administrative and demographic characteristics, they had poorer outcomes than higher-educated native Danish citizens on pain intensity and EQ-5D-5L score at both follow-up points (e.g., between-group mean differences in pain visual analog scale [0-100] at 3 and 12 months: 3.4 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) -0.5, 7.3] and 6.2 [95% CI 1.7, 10.7], respectively). Differences in KOOS quality of life subscale score, were smaller or absent. Balancing for differences on baseline score, comorbidity, self-efficacy, and depression had the greatest effect on reducing observed outcome inequalities.

CONCLUSION

Outcome inequalities widened following OAMP attendance, particularly at longer-term follow-up, but the magnitude of differences was generally modest and inconsistent across outcome measures. Tailoring content to reduce outcome inequalities may be indicated, but improving access appears the greater priority.

Are Patients With End-Stage Arthritis Willing to Delay Arthroplasty for Payer-Mandated Physical Therapy?

BACKGROUND

Payer coverage policies have recently begun requiring physical therapy (PT) prior to total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It remains controversial if such a mandate is appropriate for patients with end-stage, symptomatic osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to assess if such patients are amenable to delaying surgery for a trial of PT.

METHODS

All patients scheduled for elective primary total hip arthroplasty and TKA in a 3-month period by 1 of 7 surgeons at a single institution were contacted and asked to participate in a survey. Participation in PT within the prior 6 months was noted. Patients were asked if they would be willing to delay surgery for a PT trial as a nonsurgical option to improve their symptoms. The primary reason for their answer was also recorded.

RESULTS

In total, 200 patients were successfully contacted and agreed to participate. The mean age was 66 years, 47% were male, the mean body mass index was 31 kg/m², and 66% were scheduled for TKA. In total, 157 patients (79%) stated they had not done PT in the preceding 6 months, and 185 patients (93%) stated they would not want to delay surgery for mandatory PT. The most common reasons for refusing PT were "surgery is inevitable" (44%) and "unlikely to improve pain" (29%).

CONCLUSION

Patients with end-stage hip and knee osteoarthritis who are otherwise candidates for surgery appear overwhelmingly opposed to mandatory preoperative PT, mostly due to a lack of perceived efficacy in providing long-term symptom relief compared to total joint arhtroplasty.

Associations Between Physical Activity, Self-reported Joint Function, and Molecular Biomarkers in Working Age Individuals With Hip and/or Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective

Previous research has suggested an association between physical activity (PA), joint function, and molecular biomarkers, but more studies are needed. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between PA or self-reported joint function and molecular biomarkers of cartilage and inflammation in individuals with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA). Specific objectives were to explore the correlations between (1) the change over 3 months in self-reported PA/joint function and the change in molecular biomarkers (2) objectively measured PA and molecular biomarkers measured at 3-month follow-up.

Design

Working age participants (n = 91) were recruited from a cluster randomized controlled trial. Self-reported PA, joint function, and serum samples were collected at baseline and after 3 months. Serum concentrations of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and the cartilage markers Alanine-Arginine-Glycine-Serine (ARGS)-aggrecan, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and type II collagen C2C were analyzed by immunoassays. Objectively measured PA (steps/day) was collected during 12 weeks from activity trackers used by 53 participants. Associations were analyzed with Spearman's rank correlation.

Results

There was a weak negative correlation between the change in self-reported PA and the change in COMP (r s = -0.256, P = .040) but not for the other molecular biomarkers. There were no correlations between the change in self-reported joint function and the change in molecular biomarkers or between the average steps/day and the molecular biomarkers at follow-up (r s ⩽ -0.206, P ⩾ .06).

Conclusion

In general, no or only weak associations were found between PA/joint function and molecular biomarkers. Future research recommends including participants with lower PA, extend the follow-up, and use a design that allows comparisons.

Prognostic Factors for Health Outcomes After Exercise Therapy and Education in Individuals With Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis With or Without Comorbidities: A Study of 37,576 Patients Treated in Primary Care

OBJECTIVE

To identify prognostic factors for health outcomes following an 8-week supervised exercise therapy and education program for individuals with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) alone or with concomitant hypertension, heart or respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus, or depression.

METHODS

We included individuals with knee and/or hip OA from the Good Life With OsteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D) program. GLA:D consists of 2 patient education sessions and 12 supervised exercise therapy sessions. Before GLA:D, participants self-reported any comorbidities and were categorized into 8 comorbidity groups. Twenty-one potential prognostic factors (demographic information, clinical data, and performance-based physical function) gathered from participants and clinicians before the program were included. Outcomes were physical function using the 40-meter Fast-Paced Walk Test (FPWT), health-related quality of life using the 5-level EuroQol 5-domain (EQ-5D-5L) index score, and pain intensity using a visual analog scale (VAS; range 0-100) assessed before and immediately after the GLA:D program. Within each comorbidity group, associations of prognostic factors with outcomes were estimated using multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

Data from 35,496 (40-meter FPWT) and 37,576 (EQ-5D-5L and VAS) participants were included in the analyses. Clinically relevant associations were demonstrated between age, self-efficacy, self-rated health, and pain intensity and change in 40-meter FPWT, EQ-5D-5L, or VAS scores across comorbidity groups. Furthermore, anxiety, education, physical function, and smoking were associated with outcomes among subgroups having depression or diabetes mellitus in addition to OA.

CONCLUSION

Age, self-efficacy, self-rated health, and pain intensity may be prognostic of change in health outcomes following an 8-week exercise therapy and patient education program for individuals with OA, irrespective of comorbidities.

The role of pain and walking difficulties in shaping willingness to undergo joint surgery for osteoarthritis: Data from the Swedish BOA register

Objectives

To investigate whether the association between pain intensity and willingness to undergo surgery is explained by walking difficulties, in patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

This is an observational study using data from the Better management of patients with Osteoarthritis (BOA) register, which collects data from a publicly financed self-management programme for people with OA in Sweden. We included all patients with knee or hip OA who attended the baseline visit between 2008 and 2016. We conducted separate mediation analyses within a counterfactual framework to estimate the mediation effect of walking difficulties (yes/no) on willingness to undergo surgery (yes/no) for each one-point increase in pain (0-10 on a numeric rating scale), adjusted for relevant confounders.

Results

We included 72,131 patients (69% women, mean age 66, mean pain 5.4, 81% had walking difficulties, 27% was willing to undergo surgery). A one-point increase in pain intensity was associated with 1.53 (95% CI: 1.51; 1.55) higher odds of being willing to undergo surgery. Walking difficulties mediated 10%-25% of the effect of one-point increase in pain when pain was <8/10, while at pain ≥8/10 this percentage decreased to 3%.

Conclusions

More than 80% of the BOA patients have mild to moderate pain (<8/10) and walking difficulties can mediate up to a quarter of the total effect of pain on the willingness to undergo surgery in these patients. Trials to evaluate the potential to lower surgery demand by reducing walking difficulties in people with these characteristics are needed.

Willingness to Undergo Joint Surgery Following a First-Line Intervention for Osteoarthritis: Data From the Better Management of People With Osteoarthritis Register

OBJECTIVE

To assess the proportion of participants reconsidering their willingness to undergo surgery after 3 and 12 months. Secondary aims were to analyze and compare the characteristics of individuals willing and unwilling to undergo joint surgery for osteoarthritis (OA) before a first-line intervention, and to study the association between pain intensity, walking difficulties, self-efficacy, and fear of movement with the willingness to undergo surgery.

METHODS

This was an observational study based on Swedish register data. We included 30,578 individuals with knee or hip OA who participated in a first-line intervention including education and exercise.

RESULTS

Individuals willing to undergo surgery at baseline showed a higher proportion of men (40% versus 27%) and more severe symptoms and disability. Respectively, 45% and 30% of the individuals with knee and hip OA who were willing to undergo surgery at baseline became unwilling after the intervention. At the end of the study period (12 months), 35% and 19% of those with knee and hip OA, respectively, who were willing to undergo surgery at baseline became unwilling. High pain intensity, walking difficulties, and fear of movement were associated with higher odds of being willing to undergo surgery at both follow-ups, while increased self-efficacy showed the opposite association.

CONCLUSION

A first-line intervention for OA is associated with reduced willingness to undergo surgery, with a greater proportion among patients with knee OA than hip OA. Due to its temporal variability, willingness to undergo surgery should be used with care to deem surgery eligibility.

Exercise and education for community-dwelling older participants with knee osteoarthritis: a video-linked programme protocol based on a randomised controlled trial

Background

Neuromuscular and quadriceps exercises have been shown to be effective approaches to relieve pain and to improve function for patients with knee osteoarthritis. In this study, we aim to provide an informative feasible model in which therapeutic exercise and education will be undertaken with physiotherapy supervision and instruction via video link. We also aim to explore the relationship between program-induced pain alleviation/functional improvements and reduction in irritability, which might be mediated through program-induced psychosocial benefits.

Methods

In this proposed two-parallel group (neuromuscular exercise versus quadriceps exercise), single-blinded, randomised controlled trial, participants aged ≥50 years with osteoarthritic knee pain will undergo a 12-week intervention, comprising video-linked education, supervised exercises, and a 12-week follow-up. Seven measurements will be taken to collect longitudinal data. A generalised estimating equation will be used to establish the adjusted difference in effectiveness on pain, function, irritability, and psychosocial outcomes between participants undertaking neuromuscular exercises and those undertaking quadriceps exercises. The primary outcomes are overall average pain in the knee joint during walking, as assessed through the 11-point Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index physical function subscale. Furthermore, pressure pain threshold and changes in self-report pain scores pre-, during, and post-exercise were also measured as an indication of irritability. In addition, both the 6-min walk test and a timed up & go test were used to assess walking function performance. Finally, patients’ emotions (e.g., fear and catastrophising), self-trust, needs in terms of disease knowledge, mental resilience, social support and health-related quality of life were investigated. Two four-wave cross-lagged models will be used to investigate directional relationships, aiming to investigate the complex mechanisms concerning the effects of exercise programmes.

Discussion

Through summarising the study’s strengths and limitations, this study may provide promising insights in terms of exercise therapy optimisation for people with knee osteoarthritis and/or other chronic pain within a psychosocial framework.

Trial registration

ChiCTR2100041978 (chictr.org.cn), January 10, 2021.