Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in osteoarthritis: A systematic review of pre-clinical and human studies.

Objective: There is significant interest in the potential of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1A) to improve outcomes in osteoarthritis. We systematically reviewed the evidence from pre-clinical and human studies for effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1A) in osteoarthritis.

Method: Ovid Medline, Embase and CINAHL were searched (inception to November 2024) using MeSH terms and key words to identify studies examining the association between GLP-1A use and outcomes related to osteoarthritis.

Metformin for low back pain: Study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Chronic low back pain is a major cause of pain and disability with limited effective therapies. Metformin is a safe, inexpensive, well-tolerated drug that has pleotropic effects, including effects on pain pathways that may influence low back pain. The aim of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is to determine whether metformin reduces low back pain over 4 months in individuals with chronic low back pain.

Body Composition and Incident High-Intensity Back Pain and/or High Disability: A 10-Year Prospective Population-Based Male Cohort.

Background: Back pain poses a significant global burden, within which individuals with more severe symptoms consume higher healthcare expenses than those with lesser back pain. Whether measures of body composition predict high-intensity back pain and/or high-disability in population-based cohorts is unknown. This study aimed to examine the association between body composition at baseline and their change in the prior 5 years (between 2001-2005 and 2006-2010) and incident high-intensity back pain and/or high-disability in long-term follow-up, 10 years later (2016-2021) in a population-based cohort of men.

Bone mineral density is not associated with incident high-intensity back pain: a 10-year cohort study in men.

Although patients believe that osteoporosis is a painful condition, health professionals assume it is painless unless a fracture occurs. The association between BMD and back pain has not been examined longitudinally in community-based adults in an unbiased population using gold-standard measures. This study aimed to examine the association between BMD and incident high-intensity back pain and/or high disability over 10 years in Australian men without high-intensity symptoms at baseline.

Metformin for knee osteoarthritis with obesity: study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Over half of the populations with knee osteoarthritis (OA) have obesity. These individuals have many other shared metabolic risk factors. Metformin is a safe, inexpensive, well-tolerated drug that has pleiotropic effects, including structural protection, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in OA, specifically the knee.

Negative back beliefs are associated with increased odds of low back pain and disability: a 10-year cohort study in men.

Objective: Although negative back beliefs are associated with high-intensity low back pain (LBP)/disability, whether they influence incident high-intensity LBP/high disability over the long-term is unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether negative back beliefs were associated with developing high-intensity LBP and/or high disability over 10 years in men.

Methods: Men with no or low-intensity LBP and/or disability attending the Geelong Osteoporosis Study between 2006 and 2010 were included.

Patterns and natural history of hand pain in individuals with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis in a prospective cohort study: A post-hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the variation in the distribution and the natural history of hand pain over 6 weeks in individuals with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis.

Design: Patient-reported outcome data were collected at baseline and weekly for 6 weeks from community-based participants enrolled in a randomised controlled trial. Participants were grouped based on location of significant pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS≥40/100 ​mm) (both carpometacarpal (CMC) and interphalangeal (IP), CMC only, and IP only).

Efficacy of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in hand osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: This study aimed at systematically review the evidence for the efficacy of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) inhibitors on symptoms and structural outcomes in hand osteoarthritis.

Methods: Three databases were searched for randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy of TNF inhibitors in hand osteoarthritis. Two authors extracted data and assessed the risk of bias.

Effect of 6-week treatment with topical betamethasone dipropionate in patients with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of topical corticosteroid over 6 weeks in patients with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis.

Design: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, community-based participants with hand osteoarthritis were randomly assigned (1:1) to topical Diprosone OV (betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 ​mg/g in optimised vehicle, n=54) or placebo (plain paraffin, n=52) ointment to painful joints 3 times daily for 6 weeks.

Patient-Reported Outcomes following Total Knee Replacement in Patients Aged 65 Years and Over-A Systematic Review.

A previous systematic review showed positive patient-reported outcomes following total knee replacement (TKR) in patients aged < 65 years. However, the question remains as to whether these results are replicated for older individuals. This systematic review evaluated the patient-reported outcomes following TKR in individuals aged ≥ 65 years.

Recommendations for weight management in osteoarthritis: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines.

Objective: While targeting obesity is central to osteoarthritis management, recent meta-analyses demonstrate only modest effects of weight loss on symptoms, and little on structure. The World Health Organisation recommends that effective management of obesity include prevention of weight gain, weight maintenance and weight loss. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the recommendations and approaches for management of obesity in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for osteoarthritis.

Efficacy of corticosteroids for hand osteoarthritis - a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: There is some evidence that corticosteroids may have a beneficial effect in hand osteoarthritis. We examined the efficacy of corticosteroids on symptoms and structural outcomes in hand osteoarthritis.

Methods: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to October 2021 for randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of corticosteroids in hand osteoarthritis.

Does aerobic exercise effect pain sensitisation in individuals with musculoskeletal pain? A systematic review.

Background: Pain sensitisation plays a major role in musculoskeletal pain. However, effective treatments are limited, and although there is growing evidence that exercise may improve pain sensitisation, the amount and type of exercise remains unclear. This systematic review examines the evidence for an effect of aerobic exercise on pain sensitisation in musculoskeletal conditions.

Topical corticosteroid for treatment of hand osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Hand osteoarthritis is a common and disabling chronic joint disease with a lack of effective therapies. Emerging evidence suggests the role of local inflammation in causing pain in hand osteoarthritis. Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs used in many rheumatic diseases.

Is adiposity associated with back and lower limb pain? A systematic review.

Background: Back and lower limb pain have a major impact on physical function and quality of life. While obesity is a modifiable risk factor for musculoskeletal pain, the role of adiposity is less clear. This systematic review aimed to examine the relationship between both adiposity and its distribution and back and lower limb pain.