Do Patients With Osteoarthritis get Weight Loss Counseling?

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of joints which if untreated can lead to a permanent disability of joints. Obesity plays an important role in the morbidity of OA. Since there is no curative treatment for OA, several researches focusing on nonpharmacological intervention for OA have come forth. Triad of education, exercise, and weight loss has been gaining popularity as a first-line nonpharmacological treatment for OA. This article measures the number of OA patients, irrespective of age and gender, who have received weight-loss counseling from their physicians and it also studies patients' willingness to lose weight after being counseled. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 10th June 2020 to 10th July 2020. Diagnosed cases of OA were included and their consent was taken. A self-administered questionnaire was used which included questions asking if they have ever received weight-loss counseling and if they will try to lose weight on being advised by their physician. Data were collected from the participants using google forms and analyzed using SPSS-22. Results: Out of 199 OA patients included in our study, only 28 (14%) participants received weight loss and exercise counseling from their physicians. A positive response was observed in 175 (87.9%) participants out of 199 who reported that they would exercise and practice a healthy lifestyle to lose weight if they were advised properly. Conclusion: Results of our study showed that the total number of OA patients receiving advice from their treating physician regarding weight loss is less. However, the majority of the patients were willing to exercise and control their weight if advised properly by their physician.

Estimating the Prevalence of Knee Pain and the Association between Illness Perception Profiles and Self-Management Strategies in the Frederiksberg Cohort of Elderly Individuals with Knee Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Various self-management strategies are being recommended for knee OA, and ESCEO and OARSI guidelines have advocated that structured exercise and weight loss should be core interventions in the treatment of OA along with pharmacological treatments [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Recent reviews recommend controlling obesity as an important aspect in the minimization of arthritic pain syndromes [ 18 ] and advocate the use of physical therapy [ 19 ] and obesity counselling to improve patient outcomes [ 20 ]. Furthermore, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, and acupuncture, are more or less accepted by authorities and have, for decades, been used consistently by patients for different health purposes including chronic joint pain [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

The Influence of Physical Exercises on the Flexibility of Older Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

“…Although physical exercises are crucial in managing KOA, individuals do not always receive proper advice. Note that Inam and colleagues ( 39 ) concluded that even though the association of physical exercise with body-mass loss is recommended for KOA individuals, only a small portion of patients receives guidance regarding physical exercises. Additionally, most participants were willing to exercise if adequately advised ( 39 ).…”

“…Note that Inam and colleagues ( 39 ) concluded that even though the association of physical exercise with body-mass loss is recommended for KOA individuals, only a small portion of patients receives guidance regarding physical exercises. Additionally, most participants were willing to exercise if adequately advised ( 39 ). For this reason, health professionals should prescribe physical exercises.…”

Effects of Physical Exercises Alone on the Functional Capacity of Individuals with Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

“…A relevant issue in the management of KOA individuals with obesity is the recommendation of the Ottawa Panel Evidence-based Clinical Practice (OPECP) Guideline [ 29 ] about reducing weight prior to the implementation of WB exercises to avoid dysfunction and maintain the joint integrity. Despite that, Inam et al, 2020 [ 30 ] stated that a low number of patients receive weight loss concealing by their physicians. The association between diet and exercise may be related to the best overall improvements in self-reported measures of functional capacity, pain and mobility in this population when properly oriented [ 31 ].…”