Average symptom trajectories following incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis

Chief Investigator:

Prof George Peat

Principal Investigator:

Mrs Rebecca Whittle

Funder name / reference number: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Methods Fellowship. (N01-AR-2-2258; N01-AR-2-2259; N01-AR-2-2260; N01-AR-2-2261; N01-AR-2-2262)
Year 2014-2016

Study design

A cohort study from the incidence cohort of the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) public use datasets. Multi-level models were used to estimate the length of the prodromal phases.

1) To investigate the existence, duration and nature of a prodromal symptomatic phase preceding incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis (ROA)

2) To investigate the trajectory of self-reported pain, stiffness, function and other symptoms following the incidence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (ROA).

Multi-level models were used to estimate the length of the prodromal phases.

Primary objective

In order to gain a better understanding of the timing of emergent symptoms of osteoarthritis, we sought to investigate the existence, duration and nature of a prodromal symptomatic phase preceding incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis (ROA).

Previous research has identified the existence of a prodromal phase of symptom worsening beginning on average 2-3 years prior to the first appearance of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The current study extends these observations to investigate the trajectory of self-reported pain, stiffness, function and other symptoms following the incidence of radiographic OA. 

Interventions

NONE