Weight Loss Reduces Pain Among Older Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

During a recent study, older adults with knee osteoarthritis experienced slight weight regain 3.5 years after completing 1.5 years of diet, or diet and exercise combined. The recorded weight regain, however, was relative to baseline, and patients maintained significant weight loss changes and lessening in knee pain.

“This is a secondary analysis of a subset (N = 94) of the first 184 participants who had successfully completed the Intensive Diet and Exercise in Arthritis (IDEA) trial (N = 399) and who consented to follow-up testing,” the authors reported.

The analysis included participants ages 55 and older who were classified as overweight or obese and who were diagnosed with osteoarthritis  in at least one knee, based on radiographic and symptomatic markers. Of the participants in the study, 27 completed 1.5-year interventions of long-term diet and exercise (D+E); 35 completed diet-only interventions (D), and 32 completed exercise-only interventions (E), and returned for 5-year follow-up analysis 3.5-years later, on average.

“During the 3.5-years following the interventions, weight regain in D+E and D was 5.9 kg (7%) and 3.1 kg (4%), respectively, with a 1 kg (1%) weight loss in E. Compared to baseline, weight and WOMAC [Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index] pain were lower in each group at 5-year follow-up. The effect of group assignment at 5-year follow-up was significant for body weight, with D less than E,” the authors concluded.

—Angelique Platas

Reference

Messier SP, Newman JJ, Scarlett MJ, et al. Changes in body weight and knee pain in adults with knee osteoarthritis 3.5 years after completing diet and exercise interventions. Arthritis Rheumatol Published August 9, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.24765