Towards sex-specific osteoarthritis risk models: evaluation of risk factors for knee osteoarthritis in males and females

Objectives The aim of this study was to identify sex-specific prevalence and strength of risk factors for the incidence of radiographic knee OA (incRKOA). Methods Our study population consisted of 10 958 Rotterdam Study participants free of knee OA in one or both knees at baseline. One thousand and sixty-four participants developed RKOA after a median follow-up time of 9.6 years. We estimated the association between each available risk factor and incRKOA using sex stratified multivariate regression models with generalized estimating equations. Subsequently, we statistically tested sex differences between risk estimates and calculated the population attributable fractions (PAFs) for modifiable risk factors. Results The prevalence of the investigated risk factors was, in general, higher in women compared with men, except that alcohol intake and smoking were higher in men and high BMI showed equal prevalence. We found significantly different risk estimates between men and women: high level of physical activity [relative risk (RR) 1.76 (95% CI: 1.29–2.40)] or a Kellgren and Lawrence score 1 at baseline [RR 5.48 (95% CI: 4.51–6.65)] was higher in men. Among borderline significantly different risk estimates was BMI ≥27, associated with higher risk for incRKOA in women [RR 2.00 (95% CI: 1.74–2.31)]. The PAF for higher BMI was 25.6% in women and 19.3% in men. Conclusion We found sex-specific differences in both presence and relative risk of several risk factors for incRKOA. Especially BMI, a modifiable risk factor, impacts women more strongly than men. These risk factors can be used in the development of personalized prevention strategies and in building sex-specific prediction tools to identify high risk profile patients

Bone Union Assessment with Computed Tomography (CT) and Statistical Associations with Mechanical or Histological Testing:A Systematic Review of Animal Studies

Objective and accurate assessment of bone union after a fracture, arthrodesis, or osteotomy is relevant for scientific and clinical purposes. Bone union is most accurately imaged with computed tomography (CT), but no consensus exists about objective assessment of bone union from CT images. It is unclear which CT-generated parameters are most suitable for bone union assessment. The aim of this review of animal studies is to find which CT-generated parameters are associated most strongly with actual bone union. Scientific databases were systematically searched. Eligible studies were studies that (1) were animal studies, (2) created a fracture, (3) assessed bone union with CT, (4) performed mechanical or histological testing as measure of actual bone union, and (5) associated CT-generated outcomes to mechanical or histological testing results. Two authors selected eligible studies and performed risk of bias assessment with QUADAS-2 tool. From 2567 studies that were screened, thirteen studies were included. Most common CT parameters that were investigated were bone mineral density, bone volume, and total callus volume. Studies showed conflicting results concerning the associations of these parameters with actual bone union. CT-assessed torsional rigidity (assessed by three studies) and callus density (assessed by two studies) showed best results. The studies investigating these two parameters reported moderate to strong associations with actual bone union. CT-assessed torsional rigidity and callus density seem the most promising parameters to represent actual bone union after a fracture, arthrodesis, or osteotomy. Prospero trial registration number: CRD4202016473

Efficacy of foot orthoses for the treatment of plantar heel pain:a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundPlantar heel pain (PHP) is common. Foot orthoses are often applied as treatment for PHP, even though there is little evidence to support this.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different orthoses on pain, function and self-reported recovery in patients with PHP and compare them with other conservative interventions.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesA systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, CINAHL and Google Scholar up to January 2017.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesRandomised controlled trials comparing foot orthoses with a control (defined as no intervention, sham or other type of conservative treatment) reporting on pain, function or self-reported recovery in patients with PHP.ResultsTwenty studies investigating eight different types of foot orthoses were included in the review. Most studies were of high quality. Pooled data from six studies showed no difference between prefabricated orthoses and sham orthoses for pain at short term (mean difference (MD) of 0.26 (95% CI −0.09 to 0.60)). No difference was found between sham orthoses and custom orthoses for pain at short term (MD 0.22 (95% CI −0.05 to 0.50)), nor was there a difference between prefabricated orthoses and custom orthoses for pain at short term (MD 0.03 (95% CI −0.15 to 0.22)). For the majority of other interventions, no significant differences were found.ConclusionsFoot orthoses are not superior for improving pain and function compared with sham or other conservative treatment in patients with PHP.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42015029659.</jats:sec

Cam morphology is strongly and consistently associated with development of radiographic hip osteoarthritis throughout 4 follow-up visits within 10 years

Objective: To determine the association between cam morphology and the development of radiographic hip osteoarthritis (RHOA) at four time points within 10-year follow-up. Design: The nationwide prospective Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee study includes 1002 participants aged 45–65 years with 2-, 5-, 8-, and 10-year follow-ups. The associations of cam morphology (alpha angle &gt;60°) and large cam morphology (alpha angle &gt;78°) in hips free of osteoarthritis at baseline (Kellgren &amp; Lawrence (KL) grade &lt;2) with the development of both incident RHOA (KL grade≥2) and end-stage RHOA (KL grade≥3) were estimated using logistic regression with generalized estimating equation at each follow-up and using Cox regression over 10 years, adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index.Results: Both cam morphology and large cam morphology were associated with the development of incident RHOA at all follow-ups with adjusted Odd Ratios (aORs) ranging from 2.7 (95% Confidence interval 1.8–4.1) to 2.9 (95% CI 2.0–4.4) for cam morphology and ranging from 2.5 (95% CI 1.5–4.3) to 4.2 (95% CI 2.2–8.3) for large cam morphology. For end-stage RHOA, cam morphology resulted in aORs ranging from 4.9 (95% CI 1.8–13.2) to 8.5 (95% CI 1.1–64.4), and aORs for large cam morphology ranged from 6.7 (95% CI 3.1–14.7) to 12.7 (95% CI 1.9–84.4). Conclusions: Cam morphology poses the hip at 2–13 times increased odds for developing RHOA within a 10-year follow-up. The association was particularly strong for large cam morphology and end-stage RHOA, while the strength of association was consistent over time.</p

Effect of corticosteroid injection for trochanter pain syndrome: design of a randomised clinical trial in general practice

Background. Regional pain in the hip in adults is a common cause of a general practitioner visit. A considerable part of patients suffer from (greater) trochanteric pain syndrome or trochanteric bursitis. Local corticosteroid injections is one of the treatment options. Although clear evidence is lacking, small observational studies suggest that this treatment is effective in the short-term follow-up. So far, there are no randomised controlled trials available evaluating the efficacy of injection therapy. This study will investigate the efficacy of local corticosteroid injections in the trochanter syndrome in the general practice, using a randomised controlled trial design. The cost effectiveness of the corticosteroid injectio

Patterns of knee osteoarthritis management in general practice:a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records

Objective: This study determined patterns of knee osteoarthritis (OA) management by general practitioners (GPs) using routine healthcare data from Dutch general practices from 2011 to 2019. Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Integrated Primary Care Information database between 2011 and 2019. Electronic health records (EHRs) of n = 750 randomly selected knee OA patients (with either codified or narrative diagnosis) were reviewed against eligibility criteria and n = 503 patients were included. Recorded information was extracted on GPs’ management from six months before to three years after diagnosis and patterns of management were analysed.Results: An X-ray referral was the most widely recorded management modality (63.2%). The next most widely recorded management modalities were a referral to secondary care (56.1%) and medication prescription or advice (48.3%). Records of recommendation of/referral to other primary care practitioners (e.g. physiotherapists) were found in only one third of the patients. Advice to lose weight was least common (1.2%). Records of medication prescriptions or recommendation of/referral to other primary care practitioners were found more frequently in patients with an X-ray referral compared to patients without, while records of secondary care referrals were found less frequently. Records of an X-ray referral were often found in narratively diagnosed knee OA patients before GPs recorded a code for knee OA in their EHR. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the importance of better implementing non-surgical management of knee OA in general practice and on initiatives for reducing the overuse of X-rays for diagnosing knee OA in general practice.</p

Genicular artery embolization as a novel treatment for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis:protocol design of a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: Knee osteoarthritis is a common disease with pain as the most prevalent symptom. Previous cohort studies have shown genicular artery embolization to reduce pain symptoms in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Patients resistant to conservative therapy but not eligible yet for surgical treatment due to young age or comorbidities may profit from an effective and sustained pain reduction treatment. This study is a randomized sham-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of genicular artery embolization in patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Fifty-eight patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis will be recruited and randomly allocated to the treatment or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the treatment group will undergo genicular artery embolization. Patients in the control group will undergo sham treatment. Outcome measurements will be assessed at baseline and after 1, 4, 8, and 12 months with questionnaires, pressure pain threshold testing, and MR imaging. The MR imaging protocol is designed to (semi)quantitatively assess osteoarthritis in the knee joint. The primary outcome is the change from baseline of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) pain subscale after 4 months. Secondary outcomes include change in osteoarthritis-related questionnaires, pressure pain threshold, and OA-related MRI features, particularly synovitis and bone marrow lesions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial will determine the efficacy of genicular artery embolization compared to a sham treatment. This is of importance to assess before proceeding to larger-scale efficiency studies and, ultimately, implementing this treatment into day to day clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03884049. Registered on 21 March 201