Gabriella M. van Dijk, Joost Dekker, Cindy Veenhof, Cornelia H. M. van den Ende, Carpa Study Group
The objective of this study was to systematically review studies describing the course of functioning in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee and identifying potential prognostic factors. The authors conclude that pain and functional status in hip or knee OA seem to deteriorate slowly, with limited evidence for worsening after 3 years of followup. In specific subgroups, prognosis in the first 3 years of followup was either worse or better, as both risk factors and protective factors were identified. Prognostic factors included biomechanical factors, psychological factors, clinical factors, and treatment modalities. To strengthen the evidence, further high-quality longitudinal research on hip or knee OA functioning is needed.
Arthritis Care & Research, Volume 55, Issue 5, Pages 779-785