Osteoarthritis
By Phoebe Starr
Strontium ranelate doses of 1 g daily and 2 g daily slowed the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) over a 3-year period in the double-blind placebo-controlled Strontium Ranelate in Knee Osteoarthritis Trial (SEKOIA), investigators reported at the 2012 meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.
By Neil Canava
Developing new strategies for the prevention of osteoarthritis (OA) and its significant clinical burden is largely based on better understanding of the mechanism of OA disease and identification of potential biomarkers that may be involved in the progressive deterioration of the joints, including knee and hip.
By Charles Bankhead
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of impaired mobility, with significant impact especially on the joints, often leading to total hip or knee replacement, which reduces the patient’s quality of life in addition to having significant economic costs. The socioeconomic burden of total hip and knee replacement has soared to “remarkable” levels, according to Italian researchers (Piscitelli P, et al. Arthritis Care Res [Hoboken]. 2012;64:1320-1327).
Men more likely candidates than women
Phoenix, AZ—Among the surprising findings of a survey presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making were that orthopedic surgeons are significantly more likely to recommend total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to men than to women, and that rheumatologists working in academic settings are much more likely to recommend such surgery than those working in nonacademic environments.
By Rosemary Frei, MSc
Promoting physical activity in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) is important. Interventions that may motivate patients with OA to adhere to an exercise regimen to reduce the risk of physical disability related to this chronic disease can therefore be helpful for providers and for patients.