Harmonising knee pain patient-reported outcomes: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) and individual participant data (IPD).

OBJECTIVE: In order to facilitate data pooling between studies, we explored harmonisation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in people with knee pain due to osteoarthritis or knee trauma, using the Patient Acceptable Symptom State scores (PASS) as a criterion. METHODS: We undertook a systematic literature review (SLR) of PASS scores, and performed individual participant data (IPD) analysis of score distributions from concurrently completed PROM pairs. Numerical rating scales (NRS), visual analogue scales, KOOS and WOMAC pain questionnaires were standardised to 0 to 100 (worst) scales. Meta-regression explored associations of PASS. Bland Altman plots compared PROM scores within individuals using IPD from WebEx, KICK, MenTOR and NEKO studies. RESULTS: SLR identified 18 studies reporting PASS in people with knee pain. Pooled standardised PASS was 27 (95% CI: 21 to 35; n = 6,339). PASS was statistically similar for each standardised PROM. Lower PASS was associated with lower baseline pain (ß = 0.49, P = 0.01) and longer time from treatment initiation (Q = 6.35, P = 0.04). PASS scores were lowest in ligament rupture (12, 95% CI: 11 to 13), but similar between knee osteoarthritis (31, 95% CI: 26 to 36) and meniscal tear (27, 95% CI: 20 to 35). In IPD, standardised PROMs each revealed similar group mean scores, but scores within individuals diverged between PROMs (LoA between -7 to -38 and +25 to 52). CONCLUSION: Different standardised PROMs give similar PASS thresholds in group data. PASS thresholds may be affected more by patient and treatment characteristics than between PROMs. However, different PROMs give divergent scores within individuals, possibly reflecting different experiences of pain.

Knee joint stabilization therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an exercise program, initially focusing on knee stabilization and subsequently on muscle strength and performance of daily activities is more effective than an exercise program focusing on muscle strength and performance of daily activities only, in reducing activity limitations in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and instability of the knee joint. DESIGN: A single-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving 159 knee OA patients with self-reported and/or biomechanically assessed knee instability, randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Both groups received a supervised exercise program for 12 weeks, consisting of muscle strengthening exercises and training of daily activities, but only in the experimental group specific knee joint stabilization training was provided. Outcome measures included activity limitations (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index - WOMAC physical function, primary outcome), pain, global perceived effect and knee stability. RESULTS: Both treatment groups demonstrated large (∼20-40%) and clinically relevant reductions in activity limitations, pain and knee instability, which were sustained 6 months post-treatment. No differences in effectiveness between experimental and control treatment were found on WOMAC physical function (B (95% confidence interval - CI) = -0.01 (-2.58 to 2.57)) or secondary outcome measures, except for a higher global perceived effect in the experimental group (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Both exercise programs were highly effective in reducing activity limitations and pain and restoring knee stability in knee OA patients with instability of the knee. In knee OA patients suffering from knee instability, specific knee joint stabilization training, in addition to muscle strengthening and functional exercises, does not seem to have any additional value. Dutch Trial Register (NTR) registration number: NTR1475.

Proprioception in knee osteoarthritis: a narrative review.

OBJECTIVE: To give an overview of the literature on knee proprioception in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. METHOD: A literature search was performed and reviewed using the narrative approach. RESULTS: (1) Three presumed functions of knee proprioception have been described in the literature: protection against excessive movements, stabilization during static postures, and coordination of movements. (2) Proprioceptive accuracy can be measured in different ways; correlations between these methods are low. (3) Proprioceptive accuracy in knee OA patients seems to be impaired when compared to age-matched healthy controls. Unilateral knee OA patients may have impaired proprioceptive accuracy in both knees. (4) Causes of impaired proprioceptive accuracy in knee OA remain unknown. (5) There is currently no evidence for a role of impaired proprioceptive accuracy in the onset or progression of radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA). (6) Impaired proprioceptive accuracy could be a risk factor for progression (but not for onset) of both knee pain and activity limitations in knee OA patients. (7) Exercise therapy seems to be effective in improving proprioceptive accuracy in knee OA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Recent literature has shown that proprioceptive accuracy may play an important role in knee OA. However, this role needs to be further clarified. A new measurement protocol for knee proprioception needs to be developed. Systematic reviews focusing on the relationship between impaired proprioceptive accuracy, knee pain and activity limitations and on the effect of interventions (in particular exercise therapy) on proprioceptive accuracy in knee OA are required. Future studies focusing on causes of impaired proprioceptive accuracy in knee OA patients are also needed, taking into account that also the non-symptomatic knee may have proprioceptive impairments. Such future studies may also provide knowledge of mechanism underlying the impact of impaired proprioceptive accuracy on knee pain and activity limitations.

Determinants of range of joint motion in patients with early symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee: an exploratory study in the CHECK cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Reduced range of motion (ROM) is supposed to be a characteristic feature of osteoarthritis (OA). Because little is known about determinants of ROM, the objective of the present study was to explore the association between demographic, articular, and clinical factors and ROM in patients with early symptomatic knee and/or hip OA. DESIGN: Baseline data of 598 participants of the Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee (CHECK) study were used in this cross-sectional study. METHODS: Separate analyses were performed for participants with knee and participants with hip symptoms. Active knee flexion, and hip internal rotation, external rotation, flexion, adduction, and abduction were assessed using a goniometer. Participants underwent a standardised physical and radiographic examination, and completed a questionnaire. Exploratory regression analyses were performed to explore the association between ROM and demographic [i.e., age, gender, body mass index (BMI)], articular [i.e., osteophytosis, joint space narrowing (JSN)], and clinical (i.e., pain, stiffness) factors. RESULTS: In patients with early symptomatic knee OA, osteophytosis, bony enlargement, crepitus, pain, and higher BMI were associated with lower knee flexion. JSN was associated with lower ROM in all planes of motion. In addition, osteophytosis, flattening of the femoral head, femoral buttressing, pain, morning stiffness, male gender, and higher BMI were found to be associated with lower hip ROM in two planes of motion. CONCLUSION: Features of articular degeneration are associated with lower knee ROM and lower hip ROM in patients with early OA. Pain, stiffness, higher BMI, and male gender are associated with lower ROM as well.

Is a model of stratified exercise therapy by physical therapists in primary care feasible in patients with knee osteoarthritis? : a mixed methods study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility of a newly developed model of stratified exercise therapy in primary care for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Mixed method design (process, outcome and qualitative evaluation). SETTING: Six physical therapy practices in primary care around Amsterdam. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty eligible patients with knee OA, visiting one of the participating physical therapists (PTs). INTERVENTION: Patients were allocated to a subgroup based on a simple stratification tool and received subgroup-specific, protocolized, 4-month, exercise therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility of this model of stratified exercise therapy was explored by multiple process parameters, outcome measures (physical functioning and knee pain; at baseline and 4-months follow-up) and experiences from patients and PTs. RESULTS: From 97 potentially eligible patients, fifty patients were included and allocated to the 'high muscle strength subgroup' (n=17), 'depression subgroup' (n=4), 'obesity subgroup' (n=6) or 'low muscle strength subgroup' (n=23). Three patients dropped out during the study period. PTs provided relatively low numbers of sessions (on average 10 sessions), although exceedance of the recommended maximum number of sessions did occur frequently. We found clinically relevant improvements on physical functioning and knee pain (P<0.001 for both) for the total group. In general, the model of stratified exercise therapy was considered to be easily applicable and of added value for daily practice. CONCLUSIONS: Our model of stratified exercise therapy seems to be feasible in primary care, although a number of limitations were reported. Future research should determine the (cost-)effectiveness of an adapted model, compared to usual, non-stratified exercise therapy.

Reliability of the KT1000 arthrometer and the Lachman test in patients with an ACL rupture.

The underlying study is a cross sectional study on the reliability of the KT1000 arthrometer and the Lachman test to determine the within-session inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability of the KT1000 arthrometer and the Lachman test. Twenty patients with a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) were examined in a single session each. During the assessment, two physical therapists measured the anterior-posterior translation of the knee using both the KT1000 arthrometer and the Lachman test. One examiner performed a repeated measurement of each test for determination of intra-rater reliability. The examiners were blinded to the findings of their colleague. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to describe the degree of reliability of the measurements. High ICCs were found for the intra-rater reliability and the inter-rater reliability of the Lachman test (ICC=1.0 and 0.77). For the KT1000 arthrometer both ICCs were clearly lower (ICC=0.47 and 0.14). The KT1000 arthrometer shows inadequate reliabilities, even when measurements are repeated within a single measurement session. Contrastingly, the Lachman test is a reliable measurement to determine the anterior-posterior laxity of the ACL deficit knee. The results of the present study suggest good within-session intra-rater reliability as well as inter-rater reliability for the Lachman test.

Improvement in upper leg muscle strength underlies beneficial effects of exercise therapy in knee osteoarthritis: secondary analysis from a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Although exercise therapy is effective for reducing pain and activity limitations in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate if improvements in neuromuscular factors (i.e. upper leg muscle strength and knee proprioception) underlie the beneficial effects of exercise therapy in patients with knee OA. DESIGN: Secondary analyses from a randomised controlled trial, with measurements at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 38 weeks. SETTING: Rehabilitation centre. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and fifty-nine patients diagnosed with knee OA. INTERVENTION: Exercise therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in pain [numeric rating scale (NRS)] and activity limitations [Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) physical function subscale and get-up-and-go test] during the study period. Independent variables were changes in upper leg muscle strength and knee joint proprioception (i.e. motion sense) during the study period. Longitudinal regression analyses (generalised estimating equation) were performed to analyse associations between changes in upper leg muscle strength and knee proprioception with changes in pain and activity limitations. RESULTS: Improved muscle strength was significantly associated with reductions in NRS pain {B coefficient -2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) -3.7 to -1.4], meaning that every change of 1 unit of strength was linked to a change of -2.5 units of pain}, WOMAC physical function (-8.8, 95% CI -13.4 to -4.2) and get-up-and-go test (-1.7, 95% CI -2.4 to -1.0). Improved proprioception was not significantly associated with better outcomes of exercise therapy (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Upper leg muscle strengthening is one of the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exercise therapy in patients with knee OA.

Medical practice variations in hospital care; time trends of a spatial phenomenon.

A persistent finding in health services research is that health care delivery and hospital utilisation in the Western world varies widely between areas, both within and between countries. Most studies have concentrated on cross-sectional variations in medical practice. The aim of this article is to investigate whether or not small area variation changed through time. We used hospital discharge rates in the Netherlands for 12 diagnostic or surgical categories to indicate medical practice patterns. The data cover a time span of almost two decades: 1980-1997. First, it was found that in most cases regions are consistently above or below the national trend in the study period. Second, the analysis revealed a statistically significant decline of regional variation in hospital discharges in general during the 1980s and the 1990s. In all but one medical category the results of the separate analyses point towards a downward trend. In one-third of the medical categories this downward trend was statistically significant. Potential parallel changes in regional disparities in need for care, e.g. morbidity or age composition of regional populations or changes in regional differences in care supply are discussed.

Is the severity of knee osteoarthritis on magnetic resonance imaging associated with outcome of exercise therapy?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between severity of knee osteoarthritis (OA) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and treatment outcomes in knee OA patients treated with exercise therapy in an exploratory study. METHODS: Ninety-five participants with knee OA in a 12-week exercise program had obtained 3.0T MRI scans of the knee joint prior to treatment. MRI data were systematically assessed for OA severity of multiple features (cartilage integrity, bone marrow lesions, osteophyte formation, effusion/synovitis, and meniscal abnormalities) according to the Boston Leeds Osteoarthritis Knee Score method. Regression analyses were performed to analyze associations between OA severity on MRI (for the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral [PF] compartments) and outcome of exercise therapy, i.e., changes in activity limitations (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index physical function; primary outcome), pain and upper leg muscle strength, and treatment response (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology/Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria). RESULTS: Improvements of 24%, 34%, and 21% on average in activity limitations, pain, and muscle strength, respectively, after 12-week exercise therapy were found (P < 0.001). Severity of abnormalities in PF cartilage integrity was significantly associated with fewer improvements in both activity limitations (P = 0.01) and muscle strength (P = 0.04). Severity of PF osteophyte formation was significantly associated with fewer improvements in muscle strength (P < 0.01). All other features on MRI were not associated with treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: Effectiveness of exercise therapy seems to be independent of OA severity on MRI, except for abnormalities in cartilage integrity and osteophyte formation, both in the PF compartment. Our study suggests that all grades of OA severity on MRI can benefit from professionally supervised exercise therapy, although the effects might be reduced in patients with advanced PF OA.

Reproducibility of the measurement of knee joint proprioception in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the inter- and intrarater reliability and agreement of instrumented knee joint proprioception measurement in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy subjects; to assess the effect of variations in the measurement procedure on agreement parameters. METHODS: Proprioception was measured by a computer-controlled knee angular motion-detecting device in a movement-detecting task. The angular displacement between the starting position and the position at the instant of movement detection by the subject was recorded. Two raters independently assessed knee joint proprioception. After 14 days the assessment was repeated. Complete data were obtained from 24 subjects with knee OA and 26 healthy subjects. The inter- and intrarater reliability coefficients (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC]) and inter- and intrarater agreement measures (standard error of measurement [SEM] and minimal detectable difference [MDD]) were calculated. Additionally, the effect of changing the velocity of angular displacement and applying headphone music during the measurement on the absolute error (i.e., SEM and MDD) was estimated at the second occasion. RESULTS: Interrater reliability was good in subjects with knee OA and healthy subjects (ICC 0.91 and 0.89, respectively). Interrater agreement was higher in subjects with knee OA than in healthy subjects (SEM 2.13 degrees versus 0.43 degrees , MDD 5.90 degrees versus 1.19 degrees ). Intrarater reliability was good in subjects with knee OA and healthy subjects (ICC 0.91 and 0.86, respectively). Intrarater agreement (SEM and MDD) was 2.26 degrees and 6.26 degrees in subjects with knee OA and 0.39 degrees and 1.08 degrees in healthy subjects. The original measurement and the 2 variations in measurement showed comparable measurement errors for subjects with knee OA and healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: In knee OA subjects and healthy subjects, knee proprioception measurement shows adequate intra- and interreliability. However, the absolute measurement error is rather high. Therefore, this measurement has limited value in the assessment of individual subjects, but can be recommended for scientific research in groups of individuals.

Performance-based methods for measuring the physical function of patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: a systematic review of measurement properties.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the measurement properties (i.e. internal consistency, reproducibility, validity, responsiveness and interpretability) of all performance-based methods which have been used to measure the physical function of patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Embase. Standardized criteria were applied to assess the quality of the clinimetric studies and the measurement properties. RESULTS: Twenty-six performance-based methods were included: 13 walking tests, two stair-climb tests, one chair test and ten multi-item tests. Three out of seven multi-activity tests were tested for internal consistency and two were rated positively. Fourteen tests were tested for reliability and five were rated positively. The absolute measurement error (agreement) was assessed for 10 tests. Only one test received a positive rating. Fourteen tests were tested for construct validity. Only two tests received positive ratings. Responsiveness was assessed for 12 tests, but none of them received a positive rating. A lot of indeterminate ratings were given, mostly for small studies or non-optimal analyses. CONCLUSION: Many more well-designed studies are needed to assess the measurement properties of performance-based methods. More importantly, however, before one can make a justified choice of a particular performance-based method, consensus is needed on what activities should be included in a performance-based test for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis and which aspects of function should be measured.

Avoidance of activity and disability in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: the mediating role of muscle strength.

OBJECTIVE: Avoidance of activity is hypothesized to lead to muscle weakness and consequently, to physical disability. This study was undertaken to validate the avoidance model by providing evidence for the mediating role of muscle weakness in the relationship between avoidance of activity and physical disability in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. METHODS: Data on avoidance of activity, observed physical disability, and muscle strength of the knee in 107 patients with knee OA were analyzed. A series of regression analyses was performed to establish the mediating role of muscle weakness. First, the effect of avoidance of activity on the level of disability was assessed. Next, the relationship between avoidance of activity and muscle strength was established. Finally, the mediating role of muscle strength could be established if the effect of avoidance of activity on disability decreased when muscle strength was taken into account. RESULTS: Initially, avoidance of activity accounted for 21.5% of variance in disability. Avoidance of activity also accounted for 3.9% of variance in muscle strength. After muscle strength was taken into account, the variance in disability accounted for by avoidance of activity was reduced from 21.5% to 15.7%. Thus, the criteria for establishing the mediating role of muscle strength were met. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence for the mediating role of muscle weakness in the relationship between avoidance of activity and disability in patients with knee OA.