Clin Orthop Surg.  2017 Sep;9(3):286-294. 10.4055/cios.2017.9.3.286.

India-Based Knee Osteoarthritis Evaluation (iKare): A Multi-Centre Cross-Sectional Study on the Management of Knee Pain and Early Osteoarthritis in India

• Sancheti P
• Shetty VD
• Dhillon MS
• Sprague SA
• Bhandari M

• KMID: 2412264
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2017.9.3.286

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Access to early knee osteoarthritis treatment in low and middle income nations is often believed to be limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study in India to assess prior access to treatment among patients presenting with knee pain to specialist orthopaedic clinics.
METHODS
The multi-centre, cross-sectional study included patients presenting with knee pain at 3 hospitals in India. Patients who met the inclusion criteria and provided informed consent completed a questionnaire designed to assess patient demographics, socioeconomic status, knee pain, treatment method, and patient's knowledge on osteoarthritis (OA). Their orthopaedic surgeons also completed a questionnaire on the severity of patient's OA and their recommended treatments. The impact of demographic characteristics on the prescription of treatment options was analyzed using logistic regression.
RESULTS
A total of 714 patients met the eligibility criteria and participated in this study. The majority of patients had been experiencing pain for less than 1 year (64.8%) and had previously been prescribed medications (91.6%), supplements (68.6%), and nonpharmacological (81.9%) treatments to manage their knee OA. Current treatment recommendations included oral medications (83.3%), intra-articular injections (29.8%), and surgical intervention (12.7%). Prescription of oral medications was related to younger age, lack of deformities, and lower Kellgren-Lawrence grades (p < 0.01). Patients treated in private hospital settings were more likely to have been previously treated with medications (range, 84.3% to 92.6%; p < 0.01) and physical treatments (range, 61.8% to 84.8%; p < 0.01) than patients treated at government hospitals.
CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to the perception, our findings suggest a similar proportion of early knee OA treatment between India and North America.

Keyword

Osteoarthritis; Knee; India; Cross-sectional studies

MeSH Terms

Analgesics/therapeutic use
Arthralgia/*therapy
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
India/epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Osteoarthritis, Knee/*therapy
Pain Management/methods
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
Analgesics

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