Author Interviews, Rheumatology / 02.02.2015
Weight Loss and Exercise Underutilized by Osteoarthritis Patients
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
A/Prof Rana Hinman PhD
Australian Research Council Future Fellow
Centre for Health Exercise & Sports Medicine
Department of Physiotherapy School of Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Medical Research: What is the background for this study?
Response: It has been well established that hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major causes of musculoskeletal disease burden worldwide. There is currently no cure and joint replacement is typically reserved for advanced disease. Non-operative management strategies are the mainstay of osteoarthritis treatment. Clinical guidelines recommend the use of aerobic and/or resistance exercises, hydrotherapy and weight loss for those who are overweight for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Little is known about how often these treatments are used, and whether treatment use differs for those with hip osteoarthritis compared to those with knee osteoarthritis.
Medical Research: What are the main findings?
Response: The use of non-drug non-operative interventions was generally low amongst the entire cohort of people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Although half reported making efforts to lose weight, very few were undertaking muscle strengthening, hydrotherapy or aerobic exercises, all of which are strategies most strongly endorsed by international guidelines. 12% of the cohort had never used any of the interventions listed in our survey.
Interestingly, use of five treatments was significantly higher among people with knee osteoarthritis than those with hip osteoarthritis, suggesting people with knee osteoarthritis may be more likely to try non-drug non-operative treatments than those with hip osteoarthritis, however there is no clear explanation for this.
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