Patients' views of discussing weight management with knee OA V1.15.1.15
Research type
Research Study
Full title
To understand patients’ views and experiences of discussing weight management with a health professional when they have a clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis and a BMI of over 25.
IRAS ID
170609
Contact name
Anne Marie Dewhurst
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
The UK has the second highest rate of obesity in the world. Evidence suggests that obesity is a key risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) in particular, knee osteoarthritis (KO). Future projections predict a sharp rise in the ageing population and levels of obesity suggesting that the problems of KO are set to increase considerably, putting increasing pressure on health services.
Due to the close association between obesity and KO, weight loss is advised. In KO patients, a 10% reduction in weight can increase function significantly. Subsequently, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the OA Research Society International (OARSI) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) now recommend weight loss as a first line treatment for patients with KO. KO patients are treated in both primary care and secondary care so health professionals are well placed to offer opportunistic behaviour change advice regarding weight loss. Despite the benefits of weight loss, less than 50 per cent of obese patients with KO have been given weight management counselling.
Barriers to conversations about weight management have been identified and evidence suggests that health professionals and patients want more detailed advice about weight management as simply instructing patients is not enough to facilitate behaviour change. Health professionals have a key role to play with overweight/obese KO patients yet very little is known about this interaction.
This MRC funded study aims to explore knee osteoarthritis patients’ views of talking about weight with health professionals. 25 patients will be recruited from primary and secondary care. During interviews patients will be asked to give their views and experiences of discussing weight management with a health professional.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0139
Date of REC Opinion
13 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion