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Triggers for acute flare in adults with, or at risk of, knee osteoarthritis: a web-based case-crossover study in community-dwelling adults.

Thomas, M.J.; Rathod-Mistry, T.; Parry, E.L.; Pope, C.; Neogi, T.; Peat, G.

Triggers for acute flare in adults with, or at risk of, knee osteoarthritis: a web-based case-crossover study in community-dwelling adults. Thumbnail


Authors

T. Rathod-Mistry

C. Pope

T. Neogi

G. Peat



Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify proximate causes ('triggers') of flares in adults with, or at risk of, knee osteoarthritis (OA), estimate their course and consequences, and determine higher risk individuals. METHODS: In this 13-week web-based case-crossover study adults aged =40 years, with or without a recorded diagnosis of knee OA, and no inflammatory arthropathy who self-reported a knee flare completed a questionnaire capturing information on exposure to 21 putative activity-related, psychosocial and environmental triggers (hazard period, =72 hours prior). Comparisons were made with identical exposure measurements at four 4-weekly scheduled time points (non-flare control period) using conditional logistic regression. Flare was defined as a sudden onset of worsening signs and symptoms, sustained for =24 hours. Flare characteristics, course and consequence were analysed descriptively. Associations between flare frequency and baseline characteristics were estimated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Of 744 recruited participants (mean age (SD) 62.1 (10.2) years; 61% female), 376 reported 568 flares (hazards) and provided 867 valid control period measurements. Thirteen exposures (8 activity-related, 5 psychosocial/environmental) were positively associated with flare onset within 24 hours (strongest odds ratio estimate, knee buckling: 9.06: 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.86, 13.99; weakest, cold/damp weather: 1.45: 95%CI 1.12, 1.87). Median flare duration was 5 days (IQR 3, 8), less common if older (incident rate ratio [IRR] 0.98: 95%CI 0.97, 0.99), more common if female (IRR 1.85: 95%CI 1.43, 2.39). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple activity-related, psychosocial and environmental exposures are implicated in triggering flares. This evidence can help inform prevention and acute symptom management for patients and clinicians.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 19, 2021
Online Publication Date Apr 29, 2021
Publication Date Jul 1, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
Print ISSN 1063-4584
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 29
Issue 7
Pages 956-964
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2021.04.007
Keywords Knee; Osteoarthritis; Flare; Web-based; Case-crossover
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2021.04.007

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