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Short-term recovery trajectories of acute flares in knee pain: a UK-Netherlands multi-centre prospective cohort analysis

Thomas, Martin; Yu, Dahai; Nicholls, Elaine; Bierma‐Zeinstra, Sita; Conaghan, Philip G; Stoner, Karen J; Neogi, Tuhina; Parry, Emma L; Peat, George

Authors

Sita Bierma‐Zeinstra

Philip G Conaghan

Karen J Stoner

Tuhina Neogi

George Peat



Abstract

Objective
To identify distinct recovery trajectories of acute flares of knee pain and associated participant characteristics.

Methods
Data were from FLARE RCT, a multicentre trial in 27 primary care centres in UK and Netherlands of three regimes of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy for acute flares of knee pain. Individuals with a history of inflammatory/crystal arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain syndrome were excluded. Latent class growth analysis was applied to measures of pain intensity repeated over five days to identify distinct recovery trajectories. The concurrent courses of interference with activity, stiffness, and swelling for each trajectory group were modelled using generalised estimating equations. Participant age, sex, obesity, and osteoarthritis diagnosis were described for each trajectory group.

Results
449 participants were included (median age 55 years, 41% female, 35% obese, 42% diagnosed osteoarthritis). A six-group cubic model was deemed optimal, with trajectories distinguished by rate of pain reduction and absolute level at final measurement. At the extremes, were rapid and near-complete resolution (n=41, 9%) and persistent, high pain (n=25, 6%), but most showed a reduction and plateau in pain severity within 3-5 days. Within each pain trajectory group, interference with activity, stiffness, and swelling followed the same course as pain. Baseline characteristics did not differ substantially between trajectory groups.

Conclusion
Even under a well-adhered to regime of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, recovery following acute flares of knee pain is heterogeneous. Our observations that favourable trajectories are apparent within 3-5 days can help to inform treatment decision-making in the patient-healthcare professional consultation.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 1, 2019
Online Publication Date Oct 10, 2019
Publication Date 2020-12
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Arthritis Care & Research
Print ISSN 2151-464X
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 72
Issue 12
Pages 1687-1692
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.24088
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.24088
PMID 31600034