Prodromal symptoms in knee osteoarthritis: a nested case-control study using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.
1Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Research Institute for Primary Care & Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
|April 7, 2015
Summary
Radiographic knee osteoarthritis (ROA) is preceded by a prodromal symptomatic phase lasting 2-3 years. Understanding these early knee pain symptoms can aid in early osteoarthritis recognition and management.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease.
- Early symptoms preceding radiographic knee osteoarthritis (ROA) are not well understood.
- Identifying a prodromal phase could improve early diagnosis and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence, duration, and nature of a prodromal symptomatic phase before incident ROA.
- To characterize early knee pain and functional limitation symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) incidence cohort.
- Employed a nested case-control design with incident ROA cases and controls.
- Analyzed Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) data up to 4 years prior to ROA.
Main Results:
- A prodromal phase for ROA symptoms was identified, lasting from 29 to 37 months.
- Symptoms related to higher knee loading, like pain on twisting, had longer prodromal phases (up to 39 months).
- Pain on standing had a shorter prodromal phase (25 months).
Conclusions:
- Incident ROA is preceded by a prodromal symptomatic phase of at least 2-3 years.
- This finding has implications for understanding OA development and progression.
- Early recognition and management of knee osteoarthritis may be enhanced by identifying these prodromal symptoms.
