Collaborative Model of Care between Orthopaedics and Allied Healthcare Professionals (CONNACT) in knee osteoarthritis: Effectiveness-implementation hybrid randomized controlled trial of a community-based, multidisciplinary, stratified intervention

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical and cost effectiveness of the Collaborative Model of Care between Orthopaedics and Allied Healthcare Professionals (CONNACT), a community-based, stratified, multidisciplinary intervention consisting of exercise, education, psychological and nutrition delivered through a chronic care model to usual hospital care in adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Pragmatic, parallel-arm, single-blinded superiority RCT trial. Community-dwelling, ambulant adults with knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade > 1; Knee Injury and OA Outcome Score (KOOS4) ≤ 75) were enrolled. Primary outcome was KOOS4 at 12-months; secondary outcomes included: quality of life, physical performance measures, symptom satisfaction, psychological outcomes, dietary habits, and global perceived effect. Intention-to-treat analysis using generalized linear model (GLM) and regression modelling were conducted. Economic evaluation through a societal approach was embedded.

RESULTS

110 participants (55 control, 55 intervention) were randomized. No between-group difference found for the primary outcome (MD [95%CI]: -1.86 [-9.11. 5.38]), although both groups demonstrated within-group improvement over 12-months. Among the secondary outcomes, the CONNACT group demonstrated superior dietary change (12 months) and physical performance measures (3 months), and global perceived effect (6 months). While there was no between-group difference in total cost, significant productivity gains (reduced indirect cost) were seen in the CONNACT group.

CONCLUSION

CONNACT was not superior to usual care at 1 year. Further efforts are needed to understand the underlying contextual and implementation factors in order to further improve and refine such community-based, stratified care models moving forward.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03809975. Registered January 18 2019. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03809975.

Evaluating Osteoarthritis Management Programs: outcome domain recommendations from the OARSI Joint Effort Initiative

OBJECTIVE

To develop sets of core and optional recommended domains for describing and evaluating Osteoarthritis Management Programs (OAMPs), with a focus on hip and knee Osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

We conducted a 3-round modified Delphi survey involving an international group of researchers, health professionals, health administrators and people with OA. In Round 1, participants ranked the importance of 75 outcome and descriptive domains in five categories: patient impacts, implementation outcomes, and characteristics of the OAMP and its participants and clinicians. Domains ranked as "important" or "essential" by ≥80% of participants were retained, and participants could suggest additional domains. In Round 2, participants rated their level of agreement that each domain was essential for evaluating OAMPs: 0 = strongly disagree to 10 = strongly agree. A domain was retained if ≥80% rated it ≥6. In Round 3, participants rated remaining domains using same scale as in Round 2; a domain was recommended as "core" if ≥80% of participants rated it ≥9 and as "optional" if ≥80% rated it ≥7.

RESULTS

A total of 178 individuals from 26 countries participated; 85 completed all survey rounds. Only one domain, "ability to participate in daily activities", met criteria for a core domain; 25 domains met criteria for an optional recommendation: 8 Patient Impacts, 5 Implementation Outcomes, 5 Participant Characteristics, 3 OAMP Characteristics and 4 Clinician Characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The ability of patients with OA to participate in daily activities should be evaluated in all OAMPs. Teams evaluating OAMPs should consider including domains from the optional recommended set, with representation from all five categories and based on stakeholder priorities in their local context.

Recommendations for the delivery of therapeutic exercise for people with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis. An international consensus study from the OARSI Rehabilitation Discussion Group

OBJECTIVE

To develop evidence-informed recommendations to support the delivery of best practice therapeutic exercise for people with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

A multi-stage, evidence-informed, international multi-disciplinary consensus process that included: 1) a narrative literature review to synthesise existing evidence; 2) generation of evidence-informed proposition statements about delivery of exercise for people with knee and/or hip OA by an international multi-disciplinary expert panel, with statements refined and analysed thematically; 3) an e-Delphi survey with the expert panel to gain consensus on the most important statements; 4) a final round of statement refinement and thematic analysis to group remaining statements into domains.

RESULTS

The expert panel included 318 members (academics, health care professionals and exercise providers, patient representatives) from 43 countries. Final recommendations comprised 54 specific proposition statements across 11 broad domains: 1) use an evidence-based approach; 2) consider exercise in the context of living with OA and pain; 3) undertake a comprehensive baseline assessment with follow-up; 4) set goals; 5) consider the type of exercise; 6) consider the dose of exercise; 7) modify and progress exercise; 8) individualise exercise; 9) optimise the delivery of exercise; 10) focus on exercise adherence; and 11) provide education about OA and the role of exercise.

CONCLUSION

The breadth of issues identified as important by the international diverse expert panel highlights that delivering therapeutic exercise for OA is multi-dimensional and complex.

Singapore KneE osTeoarthritis CoHort (SKETCH): protocol for a multi-centre prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of global disability. The understanding of the role of psychosocial factors in knee OA outcomes is still evolving particularly in an Asian context. The primary aim of this study is to explore psychosocial factors that prognosticate short and long-term clinical outcomes, productivity, and healthcare utilization in patients with knee OA. Secondary aims are to explore the mediation and directional relationships and the role it plays in predicting the discordance between self-reported measures (SRM), physical-performance measures (PPMs) and objective clinical parameters.

METHODS

A multi-centre prospective cohort study of community ambulant knee OA patients seeking treatment in the tertiary healthcare institutions in Singapore will be conducted. Patients with secondary arthritis, significant cognitive impairment, severe medical comorbidities or previous knee arthroplasty will be excluded. Primary clinical outcome measure is the Knee injury and OA Outcome Score-12 (KOOS-12). Baseline characteristics include sociodemographic status, arthritis status including symptom duration and radiographic severity, comorbidities and functional status through Charlson Comorbidities Index (CCI), Barthel Index (BI) and Parker Mobility Score (PMS). Psychosocial variables include social support, kinesiophobia, negative affect, self-efficacy, injustice, chronic illness shame and the built environment. Clinical outcomes include quality of life, physical performance, global assessment, satisfaction and physical activity levels. Productivity and healthcare utilization will be assessed by a modified OA Cost and Consequences Questionnaire (OCC-Q) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI). Variables will be collected at baseline, 4, 12 months and yearly thereafter. Regression, mediation and structural equation modelling will be used for analysis.

DISCUSSION

Results will allow contextualization, identification, and phenotyping of the critical (and potentially modifiable) psychosocial parameters that predict positive clinical outcomes in the OA population to guide optimization and refinement of healthcare and community. This will facilitate: 1. identification of high-risk knee OA subpopulations that will likely experience poor outcomes and 2. formulation of targeted multidisciplinary comprehensive approaches to address these psychosocial factors to optimize non-surgical treatment care, maximize functional outcomes and create more value-based care model for knee OA.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been registered under clinicaltrials.gov registry (Identifier: NCT04942236).

Changes in physical activity and the association between pain and physical activity - a longitudinal analysis of 17,454 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis from the GLA:D® registry

OBJECTIVE

Investigate change in physical activity following an 8-week education and exercise therapy program for patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis, focusing on those with low physical activity level. Furthermore, to evaluate associations between changes in pain intensity and physical activity.

METHOD

Data from the Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) registry, at baseline, immediately after completion, and 12 months after entering the program was used. Measures of interest were UCLA activity scale (1-10) and Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity (0-100 mm). Changes in physical activity levels (low 1-4, moderate 5-6, and high 7-10) over three time points were investigated. Asymmetric fixed effects regression models were used to evaluate the association between clinically relevant change in pain (≥15 mm) and change in physical activity level from baseline to 12 months.

RESULTS

37% with low activity level at baseline (n = 4,836) and 69% of all patients (n = 17,454) reached or maintained at least a moderate physical activity level at follow-ups. Surprisingly, both an improvement (β = 1.44, P < 0.001) and a worsening (β = 1.18, P < 0.001) in pain intensity was associated with increased physical activity in low activity patients. For all patients a similar trend was observed (β = 0.51, P < 0.001 and β = 0.11, P = 0.215, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In low active knee or hip OA patients, a third of patients participating in an education and exercise therapy program reached and maintained at least a moderate physical activity level for 1 year. The improvement in physical activity was not dependent on pain reduction.

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.

Chronic opioid use before and after exercise therapy and patient education among patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate changes in opioid use after supervised exercise therapy and patient education among knee or hip osteoarthritis patients with chronic opioid use.

METHOD

In this cohort study, we linked data from the Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark register (GLA:D®; standardised treatment program for osteoarthritis; January 2013 to November 2018) with national health registries. Among 35,549 patients, 1,262 were classified as chronic opioid users based on amount and temporal distribution of dispensed opioids the year before the intervention. We investigated changes in opioid use, measured as mg oral morphine equivalents (OMEQs), from the year before the intervention to the year after using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

We found a 10% decrease in mg OMEQs from the year before to the year after the intervention (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86, 0.94). Additional analyses suggested this decrease to be mainly attributable to regulatory actions targeting opioid prescribing during the study period (IRR among patients participating in the intervention before: 0.98 [95% CI: 0.89, 1.07] vs after: 0.83 [0.74, 0.93] regulatory actions). In a random general population sample of matched chronic opioid users, a similar opioid use pattern was observed over time, further supporting the impact of regulatory actions on the opioid use in the study population.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis and chronic opioid use, a standardised treatment program did not change opioid use when regulatory changes in opioid prescribing were taken into account.

Implementation of clinical guidelines for osteoarthritis together (IMPACT): protocol for a participatory health research approach to implementing high value care

Background

The evidence-based interventions of exercise and education have been strongly recommended as part of prominent clinical guidelines for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) for more than ten years. Despite the wealth of strong evidence that exists, implementation in practice is sub-optimal. This paper describes the key methodologies used in the co-design, tailoring, and evaluation of the IMPACT project implementation strategies, to confront this problem across multiple levels (micro, meso, macro) in public and private healthcare settings in Ireland.

Methods

Using a type III hybrid implementation-effectiveness design, a participatory, dynamic and iterative process will be used to tailor and evaluate multi-level implementation strategies using the following stages: 1) Co-design the implementation strategies with key stakeholders using best evidence, a theory-driven implementation framework (Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research), local context and expert consensus; 2) Pilot and evaluate the implementation strategies by training physiotherapists to deliver the evidence-based Good Life with osteoArthritis Denmark (GLA:D®) education and exercise programme using the implementation strategies, and conduct a mixed-methods process evaluation; 3) Adapt the implementation strategies based on implementation process evaluation indicators from stage two. The adapted strategies will be used for scale-up and sustainability in subsequent GLA:D® Ireland training programmes that will be rolled out nationally. Evaluation of effectiveness on patient and cost outcomes will continue up to 12 months post-programme delivery, using an online patient registry and pre-post design.

Discussion

This implementation science project aims to use participatory health research to address a gap in management of OA across public and private healthcare settings. This research has the potential to change practice and promote a policy of exercise and physical activity referral for chronic musculoskeletal disease that utilises community engagement effectively and enacts change ‘together’, with involvement of researchers, decision-makers, clinicians and patients.

Knee and hip osteoarthritis are more alike than different in baseline characteristics and outcomes: a longitudinal study of 32,599 patients participating in supervised education and exercise therapy

OBJECTIVE

Compare baseline characteristics and change in outcomes in patients with symptomatic knee or hip OA participating in patient education and exercise therapy.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study. Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) is an 8-week patient education and supervised exercise program delivered by certified clinicians. Changes in pain intensity, Knee injury/Hip disability Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores' subscale Quality of Life (K/HOOS QOL), EuroQoL 5-Dimensions 5-Level (EQ-5D) and 40 m walk test at ∼3 and 12 months were compared between knee and hip patients.

RESULTS

24,241 knee and 8,358 hip patients were included, with response rates of 75% and 60% at ∼3 and 12 months. Age, gender, symptom duration, pain medication use, pain intensity, physical function and quality of life were alike. More knee than hip patients were obese and had bilateral symptoms. At 3 months, clinically relevant improvements were seen in both knee and hip OA patients with clinically irrelevant between groups differences; 2.1 (1.5; 2.8) mm in pain intensity, -1.1 (-1.5; -0.7) point in K/HOOS QOL score, -0.010 (-0.013; -0.007) in EQ-5D index score and -0.02 (-0.02; -0.01) m/sec in walking speed. At 12 months the slight immediate differences were equalized.

CONCLUSION

Patients presenting with knee and hip OA in primary care were on average more alike than different. Following treatment, clinically relevant improvements were seen in both knee and hip OA patients at 3 and 12 months. Patients with knee and hip OA should be prioritized alike for treatment with patient education and supervised exercise therapy.

Rare SLC13A1 variants associate with intervertebral disc disorder highlighting role of sulfate in disc pathology

Back pain is a common and debilitating disorder with largely unknown underlying biology. Here we report a genome-wide association study of back pain using diagnoses assigned in clinical practice; dorsalgia (119,100 cases, 909,847 controls) and intervertebral disc disorder (IDD) (58,854 cases, 922,958 controls). We identify 41 variants at 33 loci. The most significant association (OR_IDD = 0.92, P = 1.6 × 10⁻³⁹; OR_dorsalgia = 0.92, P = 7.2 × 10⁻¹⁵) is with a 3’UTR variant (rs1871452-T) in CHST3, encoding a sulfotransferase enzyme expressed in intervertebral discs. The largest effects on IDD are conferred by rare (MAF = 0.07 − 0.32%) loss-of-function (LoF) variants in SLC13A1, encoding a sodium-sulfate co-transporter (LoF burden OR = 1.44, P = 3.1 × 10⁻¹¹); variants that also associate with reduced serum sulfate. Genes implicated by this study are involved in cartilage and bone biology, as well as neurological and inflammatory processes.

Little is known about the biology of back pain, a leading cause of disability. Here the authors report 30 new back pain loci, implicating genes involved in cartilage/bone biology, as well as neurological and inflammatory processes.

Clinicians' beliefs and attitudes to physical activity and exercise therapy as treatment for knee and/or hip osteoarthritis: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To explore clinicians' attitudes and beliefs about physical activity and exercise therapy as treatment for individuals with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis (OA).

METHOD

This was a scoping review, mapping available knowledge about the topic derived from qualitative research designs and methods. A comprehensive search of selected databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science) was conducted and data were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Twelve articles met inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis identified three interrelated main themes: 1) Understandings of OA and its trajectory and management; 2) Attitudes to activity and exercise as part of OA management; 3) Clinicians' perceived knowledge of and expertise in OA management. Findings highlight that many clinicians involved in knee/hip OA management, particularly general practitioners and physiotherapists, perceive OA to be a low priority 'wear-and-tear' disease with expected progression of symptoms, making joint replacement surgery eventually inevitable. Further, many clinicians appear to lack knowledge about and interest in physical activity and exercise therapy in the management of knee/hip OA, and seem to show uncertainty about the effectiveness and safety of physical activity and exercise therapy on joint health.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians' attitudes and beliefs about physical activity and exercise therapy in OA seem to reflect an outdated narrative which describes OA as a wear-and-tear disease with inevitable disease progression to joint replacement surgery. Clinicians need to adopt a contemporary narrative, which accurately reflects current knowledge and evidence-based practice, thereby ensuring consistent utilisation of exercise therapy as first-line care as recommended in OA guidelines.

Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis in people with knee or hip osteoarthritis or low back pain: a cross-sectional study of 10,234 participants in primary care

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to evaluate: the proportion of people reporting symptoms associated with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in primary care programs for knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) or persistent low back pain (LBP) and; the prevalence of self-reported clinical LSS in these three cohorts, according to two sets of adapted criteria.

METHOD

A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark primary care programs. Self-report LSS symptom questions were administered to participants with knee OA, hip OA, and persistent LBP. The prevalence of eleven LSS symptoms and clinical LSS were calculated for each cohort.

RESULTS

A total of 10,234 participants were included in the analysis. A similar proportion of participants in each cohort were female (69%), with a 6- and 7-year older mean age in the knee and hip cohorts compared to the back cohort. A greater proportion of participants with LBP reported LSS symptoms (range 11-71%) than in the hip (11-50%) and knee (8-40%) cohorts. This pattern was observed for all but one symptom. The same pattern was observed for the prevalence of clinical LSS with less than 10% of people in each cohort satisfying the clinical criteria.

CONCLUSION

Self-reported LSS symptoms are commonly reported by people treated in primary care for knee or hip OA, although not as frequently as reported by those with LBP. Despite symptoms of LSS being common, only a small proportion of people were classified as having self-reported clinical LSS.

Cross-cultural translation and adaptation of the Danish version of the Fugl-Meyer assessment for post stroke sensorimotor function

PURPOSE

The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) is the most widely used and recommended clinical assessment scale for evaluating sensorimotor impairments in stroke patients, but an official Danish version has not been available. This study aimed to perform a standardized translation and cross-cultural adaptation (TCCA) of the FMA into Danish.

METHODS

First, a comprehensive eight-step TCCA procedure including forward and backward translation and step-wise reviewing by proof-reader and bilingual physiotherapists, to ensure conceptual and semantic equivalence was applied to develop a Danish version of the FMA. Second, inter-rater reliability of the Danish FMA was assessed in 10 subacute stroke patients. Svensson's statistical method designed for rank-based paired ordinal data to identify items showing non-systematic or systematic disagreements in relative position or concentration was used to make further improvements on translation.

RESULTS

A Danish FMA version was successfully made by the step-wise TCCA procedure. The clinical validation revealed satisfactory to excellent inter-tester reliability across all items (70-100%). Significant systematic disagreement either in position or concentration or both were observed in about 20% of the items.

CONCLUSIONS

The Danish version of the FMA was translated and adapted allowing for a wider standardized use of the FMA in stroke rehabilitation in Denmark.Implications for rehabilitationThe Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) is the most used and recommended clinical assessment scale for evaluating sensorimotor impairments in stroke patients.The translated and adapted Danish version of the FMA is now available for use in research and clinical practice in Denmark.This allows for a standardized and unified description of stroke motor recovery and severity in neurorehabilitation nationwide as well as the possibility to compare and conduct trials using FMA internationally.

Immediate outcomes following the GLA:D® program in Denmark, Canada and Australia. A longitudinal analysis including 28,370 patients with symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To report outcomes across three countries for patients with symptomatic knee or hip OA attending the evidence-based education and exercise therapy program Good Life with osteoArthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®).

DESIGN

GLA:D® is a structured treatment program including 2-3 patient education sessions and 12 supervised exercise sessions delivered over 8 weeks by certified health care practitioners. The program was introduced in Denmark in 2013, in Canada 2015 and in Australia 2016. Absolute mean change in pain intensity, number of chair stands in 30 s, 40 m walk test time and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)/Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) QOL subscale scores from baseline to immediately after treatment were reported as means and 95 % CIs and proportion of responders for each country.

RESULTS

Patients from the three countries improved 26-33% in mean pain intensity, 8-12% in walking speed, 18-30% in chair stand ability and 12-26% in joint-related quality of life from baseline to immediately after treatment, with no clinically relevant differences between patients with hip and knee OA. These improvements correspond with moderate to large within-group effect sizes and 43-47 % of the patients experienced clinically relevant pain reductions.

CONCLUSION

About half or more of patients across the three countries were categorized as responders for pain and objective function following the implementation of GLA:D®. These findings indicate positive patient outcomes associated with GLA:D® participation across varying health care systems from implementation of guideline-based patient education and exercise therapy for knee and hip OA.

The clinical profile of people with knee osteoarthritis and a self-reported prior knee injury: A cross-sectional study of 10,973 people

BACKGROUND

Little is known about how a prior knee injury affects the clinical profile of individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) although this is potentially important to personalize care.

OBJECTIVES

To compare individual and clinical characteristics of individuals with KOA with and without a self-reported prior knee injury.

DESIGN

Secondary data analysis of baseline data from the Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) registry.

METHODS

Individuals with symptomatic KOA, self-reporting a prior knee injury requiring a doctor's assessment, were compared to individuals without prior knee injury on a range of individual and clinical characteristics using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

The analysis included 10,973 individuals with KOA of which 54% self-reported a prior knee injury. The average age was 64 years and 73% were female. We found that being male (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.99), having longer symptom duration of knee pain (OR: 1.07), having more painful body sites (OR: 1.03), being able to do more chair rises (OR: 1.02) and being more physically active in a week (2-4 days; OR:1.33) (>4 days; OR: 1.24) were associated with self-reporting a prior knee injury whereas being older (OR: 0.99), having higher BMI (OR: 0.99) and higher quality of life (OR: 0.98) were not associated with reporting a prior knee injury.

CONCLUSION

The overall pattern of our findings rather than specific characteristics indicates that individuals with KOA and a history of a self-reported knee injury have a somewhat different clinical profile than their non-injured peers.

Individualized predictions of changes in knee pain, quality of life and walking speed following patient education and exercise therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis - a prognostic model study

OBJECTIVE

To facilitate shared decision-making for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), we aimed at building clinically applicable models to predict the individual change in pain intensity (VAS scale 0-100), knee-related quality of life (QoL) (KOOS QoL score 0-100) and walking speed (m/sec) immediately following two educational and 12 supervised exercise therapy sessions.

METHODS

We used data from patients with knee OA from the 'Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark' (GLA:D®) registry (n = 6,767). From 51 patient characteristics, we selected the best performing variables to predict the outcomes via random forest regression. We evaluated model performance via R². Lastly, we validated and compared our models with the average improvements via the mean differences in an independent validation data set from the GLA:D® registry (n = 2,896) collected 1 year later than the data used to build the models.

RESULTS

Validating our models including the best performing variables yielded R²s of 0.34 for pain intensity, 0.18 for knee-related QoL, and 0.07 for walking speed. The absolute mean differences between model predictions and the true outcomes were 14.65 mm, 10.32 points, and 0.14 m/s, respectively, and similar to the absolute mean differences of 17.64, 11.28 and 0.14 observed when we subtracted the average improvements from the true outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Despite including 51 potential predictors, we were unable to predict changes in individuals' pain intensity, knee-related QoL and walking speed with clinically relevant greater precision than the respective group average outcomes. Therefore, average prediction values can be used to inform patients about expected outcomes.

Cost-effectiveness of 12 weeks of supervised treatment compared to written advice in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a secondary analysis of the 2-year outcome from a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the 24-month cost-effectiveness of supervised treatment compared to written advice in knee osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

100 adults with moderate-severe OA not eligible for total knee replacement (TKR) randomized to a 12-week individualized, supervised treatment (exercise, education, diet, insoles and pain medication) or written advice. Effectiveness was measured as change in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) from baseline to 24 months, including data from baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, while healthcare costs and transfer payments were derived from national registries after final follow-up. Incremental costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated. A sensitivity analysis resampling existing data was conducted and the probability of cost-effectiveness was estimated using a 22,665 Euros/QALY threshold. In a sensitivity analysis, cost-effectiveness was calculated for different costs of the supervised treatment (actual cost in study; cost in private practice; and in-between cost).

RESULTS

Average costs were similar between groups (6,758 Euros vs 6,880 Euros), while the supervised treatment were close to being more effective (incremental effect (95% CI) of 0.075 (-0.005 to 0.156). In the primary analysis excluding deaths, this led the supervised treatment to be cost-effective, compared to written advice. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the results were sensitive to changes in the cost of treatment, but in all scenarios the supervised treatment was cost-effective (ICERs of 6,229 to 20,688 Euros/QALY).

CONCLUSIONS

From a 24-month perspective, a 12-week individualized, supervised treatment program is cost-effective compared to written advice in patients with moderate-severe knee OA not eligible for TKR.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01535001.

Low-dose strength training in addition to neuromuscular exercise and education in patients with knee osteoarthritis in secondary care - a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of lower limb strength training in addition to neuromuscular exercise and education (ST + NEMEX-EDU) compared to neuromuscular exercise and education alone (NEMEX-EDU) on self-reported physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

DESIGN

Patient-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT).

METHODS

The trial included 90 patients in secondary care with radiographic and symptomatic KOA, ineligible for knee replacement. Both groups exercised twice weekly for 12 weeks. Additional strength training consisted of a single, fatiguing knee extension set (30-60RM) before four sets of leg-press (8-12RM). Primary outcome was the between-group difference on the subscale activities of daily living from the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS_ADL) at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included KOOS symptoms, pain, function in sport and recreation, and quality of life, 40 m walk, stair climb, leg extension power, EuroQol-5D-5L, pain medication usage, and adverse events.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant between-group difference in KOOS_ADL at 12-weeks; adjusted mean difference -1.15 (-6.78 to 4.48). Except for the stair climb test, which demonstrated an adjusted mean difference of 1.15 (0.09-2.21) in favor of ST + NEMEX-EDU, all other outcomes showed no statistically significant between-group differences. Neither group improved leg extension power.

CONCLUSION

The addition of lower-limb strength training, using a low-dose approach, to neuromuscular exercise and education carried no additional benefits on self-reported physical function or on most secondary outcomes. Both groups displayed similar improvements at 12-week follow-up. Hence, the current low-dose strength training approach provided no additional clinical value in this group of KOA patients. Trial identifier (ClinicalTrials.gov): NCT03215602.

Comorbidities and their link with individual health status: A cross-sectional analysis of 23,892 people with knee and hip osteoarthritis from primary care

Objectives:

Robust data on the impact of comorbidities on health in people with osteoarthritis (OA) are lacking, despite its potential importance for patient management. Objectives were to determine coexisting conditions in people with OA in primary care and whether more comorbidities were linked with individual health status.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of 23,892 patients with knee and hip OA was conducted to determine comorbidities present (number/clusters) and how these linked with pain intensity (0–100), widespread pain (site numbers), medication usage (paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids), quality of life EuroQol five dimension scale (EQ-5D), and physical function (walking speed) using independent t-tests or χ² test.

Results:

Sixty-two percent of people with OA treated in primary care had at least one comorbidity; hypertension (37%), heart disease (8%), and diabetes (7%) being most common. Outcome measures worsened with more comorbidities (0–4+ comorbidities); pain intensity [mean (SD)] 46(22)–57(21); number of painful sites 3.7(3.0)–6.3(5.4); quality of life 0.73(0.10)–0.63(0.15); walking speed 1.57 m/s (0.33)–1.24 m/s (0.31), while the proportion of people using pain medication increased from 0 to 2 comorbidities (58–69%; p < 0.001), with an increase in opioid use from 4.6% to 19.5% with more comorbidities (0–4+ comorbidities).

Conclusion:

Most people with knee or hip OA in primary care have at least one other long-term condition. A greater number of comorbidities is linked with worsening health, highlighting the importance of screening for comorbidities when treating patients with OA. It is important for clinicians to consider how OA treatments will interact and affect other common comorbidities.

Increased postural stiffness during challenging postural tasks in patients with knee osteoarthritis with high pain sensitization

BACKGROUND

Postural stability is affected in knee osteoarthritis patients who present with pain but the link to pain sensitization is unclear.

METHODS

Patients with knee osteoarthritis completed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and pressure pain thresholds were assessed bilaterally at the knee, lower leg and forearm prior to standing quietly (1 min) on a force platform in four conditions: Firm surface with open eyes, firm surface with closed eyes, soft surface with open eyes, and soft surface with closed eyes. Pain intensity during standing was assessed via numerical rating scale. Postural stability was assessed by the range, velocity, and standard deviation of the Center of Pressure (CoP) extracted from the force platform. The means of three repeated measures per standing condition were analysed. High-sensitization and low-sensitization groups were defined based on bilateral pressure pain thresholds from leg and arm.

FINDINGS

Fifty-six patients were included. Compared with the low-sensitization group, the high-sensitization group demonstrated 1) smaller pressure pain thresholds at the knee (P < 0.05) although the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and pain intensity were not significantly different between groups, and 2) smaller range of the CoP in the anterior-posterior direction during the soft surface with closed eyes condition (P < 0.05).

INTERPRETATION

Smaller CoP range suggest that patients with more widespread pain sensitivity have increased postural stiffness compared with the low-sensitization group. The greater stiffness found in high-sensitization patients under sensory restrictions (closed eyes and reduced proprioception) might relate to restricted integration of sensory information due to widespread pain sensitization.

Total knee replacement and non-surgical treatment of knee osteoarthritis: 2-year outcome from two parallel randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

To compare 2-year outcomes of total knee replacement (TKR) followed by non-surgical treatment to that of non-surgical treatment alone and outcomes of the same non-surgical treatment to that of written advice.

DESIGN

In two randomized trials, 200 (mean age 66) adults with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis (OA), 100 eligible for TKR and 100 not eligible for TKR, were randomized to TKR followed by non-surgical treatment, non-surgical treatment alone, or written advice. Non-surgical treatment consisted of 12 weeks of supervised exercise, education, dietary advice, use of insoles, and pain medication. The primary outcome was the mean score of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales, covering pain, symptoms, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life (QOL).

RESULTS

Patients randomized to TKR had greater improvements than patients randomized to non-surgical treatment alone (difference of 18.3 points (95% CI; 11.3 to 25.3)), who in turn improved more than patients randomized to written advice (difference of 7.0 points (95% CI; 0.4 to 13.5)). Among patients eligible for TKR, 16 (32%) from the non-surgical group underwent TKR during 2 years and among those initially ineligible, seven patients (14%) from the non-surgical group and ten (20%) from the written advice group underwent TKR.

CONCLUSIONS

TKR followed by non-surgical treatment is more effective on pain and function than non-surgical treatment alone, which in turn is more effective than written advice. Two out of three patients with moderate to severe knee OA eligible for TKR delayed surgery for at least 2 years following non-surgical treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov numbers NCT01410409 and NCT01535001.

Cross-cultural adaptation and implementation of Good Life with osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D™): group education and exercise for hip and knee osteoarthritis is feasible in Canada

OBJECTIVE

Adapt and evaluate the feasibility of implementing Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D^TM) in Canada for people with mild to severe hip/knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Patients triaged to non-surgical management participated in two education sessions and 12 supervised, neuromuscular exercise classes. We used the RE-AIM implementation framework evaluating outcomes of Reach, Effectiveness/Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance. Patients completed surveys pre-program and at 3 months follow-up. Program fidelity was evaluated at four observations against a priori criteria. We conducted semi-structured interviews with therapists post-program.

RESULTS

72 patients consented to participate, 59 started the program and one withdrew on physician advice. The remaining 58 provided follow-up data. Mean age was 67 years; 78% were female and 52% had body mass index (BMI) >25. The effect of the program was demonstrated: 40% improvement in pain with 59% achieving a clinically important improvement of ≥2 points on the Numeric Pain Rating scale. Statistically significant improvement also occurred in the Hip disability/Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscales. 24% reported increased physical activity. Program fidelity was demonstrated with all criteria met. Therapists emphasized that rolling recruitment allowed appropriate supervision and resulted in participants encouraging each other. 99% of participants indicated they benefitted from and were satisfied with the program and 90% reported using the knowledge daily. 52% were willing to pay >$250 Cdn for the program.

CONCLUSION

GLA:D^TM implementation was feasible in the Canadian context with results similar to those of >7,000 participants in Denmark. Implementation and evaluation of GLA:D^TM Canada is now occurring nationally.

The efficacy of 12 weeks non-surgical treatment for patients not eligible for total knee replacement: a randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of a 12-week non-surgical treatment program with usual care in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) not eligible for total knee replacement (TKR).

METHOD

This two-arm parallel group assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 100 adults from secondary care with knee OA, confirmed by radiography (Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥1), but not eligible for a TKR. The 12-week non-surgical treatment program consisted of individualized progressed neuromuscular exercise, patient education, insoles, dietary advice and prescription of pain medication if indicated, while usual care comprised two leaflets with information and advice on knee OA and recommended treatments. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to 12 months in the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)4 defined as the average score for the KOOS subscales of pain, symptoms, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life (QOL).

RESULTS

91% of the patients completed the 12 months follow-up on the primary outcome. Compared with usual care, patients undergoing the treatment program improved more in KOOS4 (adjusted mean difference (95% CI) of 9.6 (4.4-14.8)) with no serious treatment-related adverse events (AE). The number needed to treat (NNT), defined as the number of patients needed to treat for one person to improve 15% was 7.2. Secondary outcomes supported the primary findings.

CONCLUSION

In patients with mostly moderate to severe knee OA not eligible for TKR, a 12-week individualized, non-surgical treatment program is more efficacious at 12 months compared with usual care and has few treatment-related AE.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01535001).

OARSI Clinical Trials Recommendations: Design, conduct, and reporting of clinical trials for knee osteoarthritis

The goal of this document is to update the original OARSI recommendations specifically for the design, conduct, and reporting of clinical trials that target symptom or structure modification among individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). To develop recommendations for the design, conduct, and reporting of clinical trials for knee OA we initially drafted recommendations through an iterative process. Members of the working group included representatives from industry and academia. After the working group members reviewed a final draft, they scored the appropriateness for recommendations. After the members voted we calculated the median score among the nine members of the working group who completed the score. The document includes 25 recommendations regarding randomization, blocking and stratification, blinding, enhancing accuracy of patient-reported outcomes (PRO), selecting a study population and index knee, describing interventions, patient-reported and physical performance measures, structural outcome measures, biochemical biomarkers, and reporting recommendations. In summary, the working group identified 25 recommendations that represent the current best practices regarding clinical trials that target symptom or structure modification among individuals with knee OA. These updated recommendations incorporate novel technologies (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) and strategies to address the heterogeneity of knee OA.

Relating clinical measures of pain with experimentally assessed pain mechanisms in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Background Peripheral and central sensitisation is prominent in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and could be important for the reduced efficacy in some cases after as well surgery as pharmacological interventions. Although sensitisation is important in KOA it is not known to what degree it contributes to the overall clinical pain problem. The aim was therefore to investigate how much a combination of quantitative pain measures assessing various pain mechanisms (local and spreading hyperalgesia, temporal and spatial summation, descending inhibition) could predict peak pain intensity in patients with KOA. Methods While resting in a comfortable recumbent position the pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the peripatellar region (eight locations) and at the tibialis anterior muscle (TA) were assessed by handheld pressure algometry, computer-controlled pressure algometry and cuff-algometry in the affected leg of 17 KOA patients without pain or sensory dysfunctions in other regions than the knee. Cuff-algometry was used to detect spatial pain summation of the lower leg. Temporal pain summation was assessed by repeated pressure stimulation on the TA muscle. The conditioning pain modulation (CPM) was evaluated by conditioning tonic arm pain and by PPT from the peripatellar region. The participants rated their peak pain intensity in the previous 24 h using on a 10 cm visual analogue scale. Results A multiple-regression model based on TA pressure pain sensitivity (spreading sensitisation) and temporal pain summation on the lower leg accounted for 55% of the variance in peak pain intensity experienced by the patients (P=0.001). Significant correlations (P< 0.05) were found between PPTs assessed by handheld pressure algometry in the peripatellar region and at TA (R = 0.94), PPTs assessed by computer-controlled pressure algometry and handheld pressure algometry in the peripatellar region (R = 0.71), PPTs assessed by computer-controlled pressure algometry in the peripatellar region and handheld pressure algometry at TA (R = 0.71) and temporal summation at the knee and at TA (R = 0.73). Conclusion Based on the multiple regression model 55% variance of the perceived maximal pain intensity in painful KOA could be explained by the quantitative experimental pain measures reflecting central pain mechanisms (spreading sensitisation, temporal summation). The lack of other correlations between the methods used in assessing pain mechanisms in this study highlights the importance of applying different tests and different pain modalities when assessing the sensitised pain system as different methods add complementary information. Implications Clinical pain intensity can be explained by influences of different central pain mechanisms in KOA. This has implications for pain management in KOA where treatment addressing central pain components may be more important than previously acknowledged.

The influence of time-of-day variation and loading on the aponeurosis plantaris pedis: an ultrasonographic study

AIM

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of time-of-day on the thickness of the the aponeurosis plantaris pedis, and to examine the acute effects of high-load strength training and long distance running on the thickness of the aponeurosis plantaris pedis.

METHODS

Proximal aponeurosis plantaris pedis thickness was assessed with a 13-MHz linear-array transducer. In sub-study 1, ten participants (ten aponeurosis') were measured five times during 24 hours. In sub-study 2, ten participants (ten aponeurosis') were measured just before, immediately after and again three hours after 3x12 unilateral heel-rises. In sub-study 3, 11 healthy experienced runners (11 aponeurosis') were measured just before, immediately after and two hours after a 15km run. The average thickness of three scans of each foot was used in the analysis. The data was analysed using repeated measures one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

The mean thickness of the aponeurosis plantaris pedis' fluctuated significantly during the 24 hours (p=0,02), but it did not change in relation to the high-load strength training (p=0,86) or 15km of running (p = 0,70).

CONCLUSION

High-load strength training and long distance running do not induce changes in the thickness of the aponeurosis plantaris pedis. Time-of-day influences the thickness of the aponeurosis plantaris pedis, but the changes are not larger than measurement uncertainty.

Total knee replacement plus physical and medical therapy or treatment with physical and medical therapy alone: a randomised controlled trial in patients with knee osteoarthritis (the MEDIC-study)

Background

There is a lack of high quality evidence concerning the efficacy of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). According to international evidence-based guidelines, treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) should include patient education, exercise and weight loss. Insoles and pharmacological treatment can be included as supplementary treatments. If the combination of these non-surgical treatment modalities is ineffective, TKA may be indicated. The purpose of this randomised controlled trial is to examine whether TKA provides further improvement in pain, function and quality of life in addition to optimised non-surgical treatment in patients with KOA defined as definite radiographic OA and up to moderate pain.

Methods/Design

The study will be conducted in The North Denmark Region. 100 participants with radiographic KOA (K-L grade ≥2) and mean pain during the previous week of ≤ 60 mm (0–100, best to worst scale) who are considered eligible for TKA by an orthopaedic surgeon will be included. The treatment will consist of 12 weeks of optimised non-surgical treatment consisting of patient education, exercise, diet, insoles, analgesics and/or NSAIDs. Patients will be randomised to either receiving or not receiving a TKA in addition to the optimised non-surgical treatment. The primary outcome will be the change from baseline to 12 months on the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)₄ defined as the average score for the subscale scores for pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes include the five individual KOOS subscale scores, EQ-5D, pain on a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale, self-efficacy, pain pressure thresholds, and isometric knee flexion and knee extension strength.

Discussion

This is the first randomised controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of TKA as an adjunct treatment to optimised non-surgical treatment in patients with KOA. The results will significantly contribute to evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of patients with KOA.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov reference: NCT01410409