The association of spinal morning stiffness with lumbar disc degeneration and C-reactive protein: The back complaints in older adults (BACE) study.

Objective: To determine the association between patient-reported spinal morning stiffness and lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) and systemic inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), in older patients with non-specific back pain. The ultimate objective is to help shape a future definition of spinal osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: Baseline data from the Dutch "Back Complaints in the Older Adults" (BACE) study was used.

The association of limited or painful spinal range of motion with lumbar disc degeneration: the back complaints in older adults (BACE) study.

Background: We currently lack clear definitions for structural and symptomatic spinal osteoarthritis (OA). To define spinal OA and create diagnostic criteria for this condition, it is necessary to determine the relationship between clinical signs and symptoms of back pain and radiographic features of OA. Notably, recent studies suggest a defining sign of spinal OA could be a limited or painful spinal range of motion (ROM).

Planned or recent first consultation with the general practitioner for knee complaints: Is it indicative of early-stage knee osteoarthritis?

Objective: No established definition for early-stage knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is available, nor classification criteria. Identifying the characteristics of individuals presenting with early-stage KOA symptoms can enhance diagnosis to prevent progression. This study aimed to describe clinical and structural features of individuals presenting with knee complaints within two years after their first consultation, while exploring differences in the duration of knee complaints.

Corrigendum to "Effect of exercise therapy in patients with hip osteoarthritis: A systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis" [Osteoarthr Cartil Open 5 (2023) 100338].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.ocarto.

E-health intervention for preventing recurrent ankle sprains: a randomised controlled trial in general practice.

Background: Ankle sprains are frequent injuries in general practice. However, no effective treatment is available yet.

Aim: To examine the effectiveness of an unsupervised e-health-supported neuromuscular training programme in combination with usual care compared with usual care alone in patients with acute lateral ankle sprains in general practice.

Effect of exercise therapy in patients with hip osteoarthritis: A systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the existing evidence on the effect of exercise therapy in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) compared to no treatment and explore whether a further trial will change the current evidence.

Design: Systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis using randomized controlled trials (RCT) to determine the effect on pain and function post-treatment, and at 6-9 months after treatment. Standardized mean difference (SMD) ​≤ ​-0.

Association between hip pain and radiographic hip osteoarthritis in primary care: the CHECK cohort.

Background: The diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis (OA) is often based on clinical symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, and radiographic features. However, the association between hip pain and hip radiographic OA (ROA) remains uncertain.

Aim: To examine the association between hip pain and hip ROA.

Higher risk of knee arthroplasty during ten-year follow-up if baseline radiographic osteoarthritis involves the patellofemoral joint: a CHECK Cohort Study.

Background: Patellofemoral OA is a strong risk factor for progression to generalized whole knee OA, but it is unknown whether involvement of the patellofemoral joint in early radiographic OA (ROA) is associated with risk of undergoing future knee arthroplasty. This is clinically relevant because patellofemoral OA likely requires a different treatment approach than tibiofemoral OA, and identifying prognostic factors for future arthroplasty might assist clinicians with prioritizing and guiding early interventions that could improve long-term outcomes. Therefore, we evaluated association of baseline patellofemoral or tibiofemoral ROA with undergoing knee arthroplasty over 10 years.

Study protocol ROTATE-trial: anterior cruciate ligament rupture, the influence of a treatment algorithm and shared decision making on clinical outcome- a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a very common knee injury in the sport active population. There is much debate on which treatment (operative or non-operative) is best for the individual patient. In order to give a more personalized recommendation we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a treatment algorithm for patients with a complete primary ACL rupture.

Incidence and management of Osgood-Schlatter disease in general practice: retrospective cohort study.

Background: Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a non-traumatic knee problem that is primarily observed in sports-active children and adolescents aged 8-15 years.

Aim: To determine the incidence of OSD and to gain an insight into the management of children and adolescents with OSD in general practice.

Design And Setting: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a healthcare database containing full electronic health records of over 200 000 patients in general practice in and around the Dutch city of Rotterdam.

ACL reconstruction for all is not cost-effective after acute ACL rupture.

Objectives: To conduct a cost-utility analysis for two commonly used treatment strategies for patients after ACL rupture; early ACL reconstruction (index) versus rehabilitation plus an optional reconstruction in case of persistent instability (comparator).

Methods: Patients aged between 18 and 65 years of age with a recent ACL rupture (<2 months) were randomised between either an early ACL reconstruction (index) or a rehabilitation plus an optional reconstruction in case of persistent instability (comparator) after 3 months of rehabilitation. A cost-utility analysis was performed to compare both treatments over a 2-year follow-up.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on pain and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA): an OA Trial Bank protocol for a systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis.

Introduction: Observational data suggest that vitamin D deficiency is associated with the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to date investigating the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in knee OA have reported conflicting results. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of vitamin D on patient-reported outcomes and determine whether there are patient subgroups who may benefit from the supplementation.

The association between meniscal body extrusion and the development/enlargement of bone marrow lesions on knee MRI in overweight and obese women.

Objective: To determine the association between meniscal body extrusion and bone marrow lesion (BML) development/enlargement in overweight and obese women at high risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: We used baseline and 30 months follow-up data of the PROOF study, Netherlands, comprising overweight or obese women aged 50-60 years, free of clinical knee OA. All subjects (n = 395) completed a questionnaire on knee complaints and physical activity, underwent physical examination, radiography, and repeated 1.

Incidence, prevalence, and management of plantar heel pain: a retrospective cohort study in Dutch primary care.

Background: Plantar heel pain (PHP) is a common cause of foot complaints in general practice. However, information on the occurrence and practical management is scarce.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and prevalence of PHP in Dutch primary care and to gain insight into the types of treatments provided to patients with PHP in primary care.

Are Bone Mineral Density and Fractures Related to the Incidence and Progression of Radiographic Osteoarthritis of the Knee, Hip, and Hand in Elderly Men and Women? The Rotterdam Study.

Objective: To examine the longitudinal relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and the incidence and progression of knee, hip, and hand osteoarthritis (OA), and to examine the relationship between prevalent vertebral and nonvertebral fractures and the incidence and progression of OA in elderly men and women in the Rotterdam Study.

Methods: Age- and sex-specific quartiles of baseline femoral neck BMD data were constructed for 4,154 subjects. Radiographs were scored for incidence and progression of knee and hip OA, and for incidence of hand OA.

Does MRI add value in general practice for patients with traumatic knee complaints? A 1-year randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To determine whether referral to MRI by the general practitioner (GP) is non-inferior to usual care (no access to MRI by GPs) in patients with traumatic knee complaints regarding knee-related daily function.

Methods: This was a multicentre, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial with 1-year follow-up. GPs invited eligible patients during or after their consultation.

Post-traumatic knee MRI findings and associations with patient, trauma, and clinical characteristics: a subgroup analysis in primary care in the Netherlands.

Background: The added value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in primary care is still being debated. A high diagnostic yield can be expected in young and active patients with post-traumatic knee complaints.

Aim: To determine the frequency of MRI abnormalities in young and active patients (aged 18-45 years) and the associations with patient, trauma, and clinical characteristics.

Discontinuation of a randomised controlled trial in general practice due to unsuccessful patient recruitment.

Background: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) in general practice, recruiting incident patients with (sub)acute sciatica, was discontinued because of insufficient recruitment.

Aim: To describe factors that influenced the recruitment process and ultimately led to discontinuation of this trial, and to enable others to learn from this experience.

Design & Setting: A pragmatic RCT was designed to compare two pain medication prescription strategies for treatment of (sub)acute sciatica in general practice.

Preventing running-related injuries using evidence-based online advice: the design of a randomised-controlled trial.

Introduction: Running-related injuries (RRIs) are frequent and can lead to cessation of health promoting activities. Several risk factors for RRIs have been identified. However, no successful injury prevention programme has been developed so far.

Characteristics associated with joint replacement in early symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis: 6-year results from a nationwide prospective cohort study (CHECK).

Background: Many patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and/or hip undergo total joint replacement (TJR) because of severely progressed symptoms.

Aim: To determine patient and disease characteristics associated with undergoing TJR in participants with recent-onset knee and/or hip OA.

Design And Setting: Participants with hip or knee pain from the nationwide prospective Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee (CHECK) study were included.

Impact of total knee replacement practice: cost effectiveness analysis of data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

 To evaluate the impact of total knee replacement on quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis and to estimate associated differences in lifetime costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) according to use by level of symptoms. Marginal structural modeling and cost effectiveness analysis based on lifetime predictions for total knee replacement and death from population based cohort data. Data from two studies-Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) and the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST)-within the US health system.