Optimizing osteoarthritis care through clinical and community partnership: Results of an exploratory trial

Background/Purpose: To conduct an exploratory trial of a clinic-community care model (OA CARE) for managing osteoarthritis (OA). Design: Participants (n ​= ​60) with symptomatic knee or hip OA and overweight/obesity were randomized to OA CARE or a usual care control group (UC). Participants in the O...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kelli D. Allen, Liubov Arbeeva, Leigh F. Callahan, Katherine Combs, Tamara Godfrey, Yvonne M. Golightly, Derek Hales, Carla Hill, Katie F. Huffman, Amanda E. Nelson, Jennifer Rees, Todd A. Schwartz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266591312500024X
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Background/Purpose: To conduct an exploratory trial of a clinic-community care model (OA CARE) for managing osteoarthritis (OA). Design: Participants (n ​= ​60) with symptomatic knee or hip OA and overweight/obesity were randomized to OA CARE or a usual care control group (UC). Participants in the OA CARE group received a 12-month medical membership to a local YMCA, which included a 12-week weight loss program and access to exercise programming, as well as referrals to rehabilitation, nutrition, sleep-related and psychological services. Participants’ primary care clinicians were given a video-based summary of OA treatment guidelines. Feasibility metrics included engagement with the weight loss program and exercise resources. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6-months and 12-months. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Outcomes were analyzed between groups across time points using general linear mixed models. Results: Eighty-seven percent of the OA CARE group participated in the weight loss program, with a mean attendance of 9.2 sessions; 57 ​% participated in an exercise class. At 6-months, there was a statistically significant between-group difference in change in WOMAC total scores, with the OA CARE group showing greater improvement (−11.0, 95 ​% Confidence Interval −20.1, −1.9). At 12-months, the between-group change in WOMAC score was not statistically significant, though there was a small difference in favor of OA CARE Group (−4.9, 95 ​% Confidence Interval −14.1, 4.3). Conclusion: Feasibility metrics were positive, but effects of OA CARE were modest, and a more intensive approach may be needed to enhance impacts.
ISSN:2665-9131