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Clinical risk factors associated with radiographic osteoarthritis progression among people with knee pain: a longitudinal study

Simic M, Harmer AR, Agaliotis M, Nairn L, Bridgett L, March L, Votrubec M, Edmonds J et al.

Arthritis research & therapy, 2021

605 participants · 21 citations

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to identify modifiable clinical factors associated with radiographic osteoarthritis progression over 1 to 2 years in people with painful medial knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted within a randomised controlled trial, the "Long-term Evaluation of Glucosamine Sulfate" (LEGS study). Recruitment occurred in 2007-2009, with 1- and 2-year follow-up assessments by blinded assessors. Community-dwelling people with chronic knee pain (≥4/10) and medial tibiofemoral narrowing (but retaining >2mm medial joint space width) on radiographs were recruited. From 605 participants, follow-up data were available for 498 (82%, mean [sd] age 60 [8] years). Risk factors evaluated at baseline were pain, physical function, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), statin use, not meeting physical activity guidelines, presence of Heberden's nodes, history of knee surgery/trauma, and manual occupation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted adjusting for age, sex, obesity, high blood pressure, allocation to glucosamine and chondroitin treatment, and baseline structural disease severity (Kellgren and Lawrence grade, joint space width, and varus alignment). Radiographic osteoarthritis progression was defined as joint space narrowing ≥0.5mm over 1 to 2 years (latest follow-up used where available).

Results: Radiographic osteoarthritis progression occurred in 58 participants (12%). Clinical factors…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 605 participants or records.

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