Do physicians treat symptomatic osteoarthritis patients properly? Results of the AMICA experience

The main objective of the AMICA project was to photograph the Italian scenario of osteoarthritis (OA) and its treatment in general and specialty practice. The study was designed to evaluate their prescription modalities to determine whether they matched the recently proposed treatment guidelines for OA (ACR 2000; EULAR 2000; APS 2002).

The study involved 2764 general practitioners (GPs) and 316 specialists who enrolled a total of 25,589 patients with OA of the hand, knee, and hip.

Pharmacological treatment alone was prescribed to 55% of the patients seen by GPs, 25% of those seen by rheumatologists, 8% of those seen by orthopedic surgeons, and 17% of those seen by physical medicine specialists (GPs versus specialists, P < 0.001). Specialists often prescribed a combined pharmacological and nonpharmacological approach (rheumatologists 51%, orthopedic surgeons 66%, physical medicine specialists 76%). Concomitant comorbidities and their treatment do not seem to influence OA prescription modalities except for peptic ulcer and anticoagulant therapy. The presence of peptic ulcer was associated with a reduction in NSAID prescriptions (OR 0.61, CI 0.53 to 0.69) and more frequent use of Coxibs (OR 1.15, CI 1.03 to 1.28) and simple analgesics (OR 1.42; CI 1.26 to 1.61), as well as physical therapy. NSAIDs and Coxibs also were less frequently prescribed if patients were receiving anticoagulant therapy (NSAIDs OR 0.86, CI 0.70 to 1.06; Coxibs: OR 0.77; CI 0.64 to 0.93). Gastroprotective therapy was more frequently used in patients treated with NSAIDs, Coxibs, and analgesics. There was no significant difference in therapies prescribed for patients with hypertension or cardiac disease (myocardial infarction and/or angina pectoris).

The published guidelines appear to be properly used by most of the physicians in terms of the pharmacological approach; however, the increased use of Coxibs has not reduced the amount of prescribed gastroprotection. No specific precautions were observed in the treatment of patients with hypertension or cardiac problems. Nonpharmacological treatments are mainly used in conjunction with medications and did not take into account the findings of evidence-based medicine. Continuing education of GPs and specialists caring for OA patients is essential.