Does Physical Activity Confound Race Differences in Osteoarthritis-Related Functional Limitation?

Objective: This study sought to determine the extent to which physical activity confounds the relation between race and the incidence of osteoarthritis (OA)-related functional limitation.

Methods: OA Initiative study participants with or at increased risk of knee OA who wore an accelerometer were included. Race was self-reported.

Renin-Angiotensin System-Modifying Antihypertensive Drugs Can Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Complications in Lupus: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease than the general population. Antihypertensive drugs that modify the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are used to protect renal function in lupus nephritis and may also have extrarenal effects that lower cardiovascular disease risk due to their anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we compared the effects of RAS vs non-RAS antihypertensive drugs on cardiovascular disease incidence in patients with lupus.

Racial and ethnic differences in the pharmacologic management of osteoarthritis: rapid systematic review.

Background: Racial and ethnic disparities in osteoarthritis (OA) patients' disease experience may be related to marked differences in the utilization and prescription of pharmacologic treatments.

Objectives: The main objective of this rapid systematic review was to evaluate studies that examined race/ethnic differences in the use of pharmacologic treatments for OA.

Data Sources And Methods: A literature search (PubMed and Embase) was ran on 25 February 2022.

Gouty Arthropathy: Review of Clinical Manifestations and Treatment, with Emphasis on Imaging.

Gout, a crystalline arthropathy caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in the articular and periarticular soft tissues, is a frequent cause of painful arthropathy. Imaging has an important role in the initial evaluation as well as the treatment and follow up of gouty arthropathy. The imaging findings of gouty arthropathy on radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, dual energy computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging are described to include findings of the early, acute and chronic phases of gout.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: Race and Gender Variations.

Objective: To evaluate race and gender variations in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use for knee osteoarthritis (OA) (unadjusted and adjusted for demographic and clinical factors).

Methods: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data was conducted. The sample included Veterans Affairs patients 50 years of age or older with symptomatic knee OA.

Understanding the Role and Challenges of Patient Preferences in Disparities in Rheumatologic Disease Care.

Evidence suggests patient preferences, including values and perspectives, have affected clinical outcomes, such as compliance, patient well-being, and satisfaction with care. A literature review was conducted with the purpose of exploring the tools used to elicit patients' treatment preferences and their roles in clinical outcomes. This review revealed racial differences in treatment preferences among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

Association of Patients' Familiarity and Perceptions of Efficacy and Risks With the Use of Opioid Medications in the Management of Osteoarthritis.

Objective: While opioids are known to cause unintended adverse effects, they are being utilized by a number of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of patient familiarity and perceptions regarding efficacy and risks with opioid medication use for OA.

Methods: A total of 362 adults with knee and/or hip OA were surveyed in this cross-sectional study.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use in Chronic Arthritis Pain: Variations by Ethnicity.

Purpose: Our objective was to determine if there are ethnic differences in the use of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and if observed ethnic differences persist after adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Methods: Knee and hip osteoarthritis study participants were identified. Surveys were administered to collect sociodemographics, clinical information, and oral treatment methods for arthritis.

Widespread Pain Is Associated with Increased Risk of No Clinical Improvement After TKA in Women.

Background: When conservative treatments do not work, TKA may be the best option for patients with knee osteoarthritis, although a relatively large proportion of individuals do not have clinically important improvement after TKA. Evidence also suggests that women are less likely to benefit from TKA than men, but the reasons are unclear. Widespread pain disproportionately affects women and has been associated with worse outcomes after joint arthroplasty, yet it is unknown if the effect of widespread pain on TKA outcomes differs by patient gender.

Pain Catastrophizing and Arthritis Self-Efficacy as Mediators of Sleep Disturbance and Osteoarthritis Symptom Severity.

Objective: Sleep and pain-related experiences are consistently associated, but the pathways linking these experiences are not well understood. We evaluated whether pain catastrophizing and arthritis self-efficacy mediate the association between sleep disturbance and osteoarthritis (OA) symptom severity in patients with knee OA.

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data collected from Veterans Affairs (VA) patients enrolled in a clinical trial examining the effectiveness of a positive psychology intervention in managing pain from knee OA.

Modifiable Determinants of Exercise Use in a Diverse Ethnic Population With Osteoarthritis.

Objective: To determine the extent of ethnic differences in the use of exercise for therapy and identify relevant modifiable determinants of exercise use among patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Knee/hip OA study participants were identified. Surveys were administered to collect patient sociodemographic and clinical information, and beliefs and attitudes about providers and treatments.

Effect of a Positive Psychological Intervention on Pain and Functional Difficulty Among Adults With Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Positive psychological interventions for improving health have received increasing attention recently. Evidence on the impact of such interventions on pain, and racial disparities in pain, is limited.

Objective: To assess the effects of a positive psychological intervention on pain and functional difficulty in veterans with knee osteoarthritis.

Race and Rehabilitation Destination After Elective Total Hip Arthroplasty: Analysis of a Large Regional Data Set.

Background: Three-quarters of patients who undergo total hip replacement (THR) receive postsurgical rehabilitation care in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF), a skilled nursing facility (SNF), or through a home health agency. The objectives of this study are to examine racial differences where THR recipients receive postsurgical rehabilitation care and determine whether discharge destination is associated with hospital readmission.

Methods: Using the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council database, we selected African American (AA) or white adults who underwent THR surgery (n = 68,016).

Epidemiology of osteoarthritis: literature update.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to highlight recent studies of osteoarthritis epidemiology, including research on prevalence, disease impact, and potential risk factors.

Recent Findings: Osteoarthritis is highly prevalent in the United States and around the globe. It is a leading cause of disability and can negatively impact people's physical and mental well being.

Race, sex, and risk factors in radiographic worsening of knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: Characterize radiographic worsening in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by race and sex over 4 years and evaluate the role of established risk factors in observed race/sex differences.

Methods: Whites (WHs) (694 males and 929 females) and African-Americans (AAs) (92 males and 167 females) at risk for radiographic KOA were eligible. Cox shared frailty models were used to estimate race and sex group differences in radiographic worsening, defined by Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) and OARSI joint space narrowing (JSN).

Relationship Between Knee Pain and Patient Preferences for Joint Replacement: Health Care Access Matters.

Objective: To determine if severity of osteoarthritis-related knee pain is associated with a willingness to undergo total knee replacement (TKR) and whether this association is confounded or modified by components of socioeconomic status and health care coverage.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 3,530 Osteoarthritis Initiative study participants. Logistic regression models were used to assess the effect of knee pain severity (where 0 = none, 1-3 = mild, 4-7 = moderate, and 8-10 = severe) on willingness to undergo TKR.

Patient preferences for total knee replacement surgery: Relationship to clinical outcomes and stability of patient preferences over 2 years.

Objective: Evaluate the relationship between patient preferences for total knee replacement (TKR) with receipt of TKR, and assess participant characteristics that may influence change in willingness to undergo TKR.

Methods: Structured interviews of knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients were conducted. Logistic regression models were conducted to assess the association between baseline willingness and eventual receipt of TKR, adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Does a Patient-centered Educational Intervention Affect African-American Access to Knee Replacement? A Randomized Trial.

Background: A TKA is the most effective and cost-effective surgical option for moderate to severe osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Yet, black patients are less willing to undergo knee replacement surgery than white patients. Decision aids help people understand treatment options and consider the personal importance of possible benefits and harms of treatments, including TKA.

Determinants of patient preferences for total knee replacement: African-Americans and whites.

Introduction: Patient preferences contribute to marked racial disparities in the utilization of total knee replacement (TKR). The objectives of this study were to identify the determinants of knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients' preferences regarding TKR by race and to identify the variables that may mediate racial differences in willingness to undergo TKR.

Methods: Five hundred fourteen White (WH) and 285 African-American (AA) patients with chronic knee pain and radiographic evidence of OA participated in the study.

Improvement following total knee replacement surgery: Exploring preoperative symptoms and change in preoperative symptoms.

Objective: To determine whether changes in preoperative osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms are associated with improvement after total knee replacement (TKR) and to identify predictors of clinically significant improvement.

Methods: Data on Osteoarthritis Initiative participants who were annually assessed and underwent TKR were included. T0 was the assessment prior to TKR while T-1 was the assessment prior to that.

Perceptions of racism in healthcare among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Racial disparities in the clinical outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exist. Perceived racial discrimination may contribute to disparities in health.

Objectives: To determine if perceived racism in healthcare differs by race among patients with SLE and to evaluate its contribution to racial disparities in SLE-related outcomes.

Racial differences in treatment preferences among lupus patients: a two-site study.

Objectives: To identify the demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics associated with racial differences in willingness to receive cyclophosphamide (CYC) or participate in a research clinical trial (RCT) among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Data from 163 African-American (AA) and 180 white (WH) SLE patients were evaluated. Structured interviews and chart reviews were conducted to determine treatment preferences in hypothetical situations and identify variables that may affect preferences.

Correlates of sleep abnormalities in systemic lupus: a cross-sectional survey in an urban, academic center.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that is associated with poor health-related quality-of-life outcomes.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify correlates of the domains of the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale in SLE and to determine the factors most associated with overall sleep quality.

Methods: Sleep in 118 SLE patients was assessed using the self-administered MOS Sleep Scale.

Race, sex, and total knee replacement consideration: role of social support.

Objective: To determine whether there are racial differences in social support among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and whether the impact of social support on patient preferences for total knee replacement (TKR) varies by race and sex.

Methods: A total of 514 white and 285 African American patients with knee OA were surveyed. Logistic regression models were performed to determine if the relationship between willingness to undergo TKR and the interaction of patient race and sex was mediated by social support.

Racial and ethnic disparities in rheumatoid arthritis.

Racial and ethnic health disparities are a national health issue. They are well described in other chronic diseases, but in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), research into their causes, outcomes, and elimination is in its early stages. Health disparities occur in a complex milieu, with system-level, provider-level, and individual-level factors playing roles.