Osteoarthritis year in review 2020: epidemiology & therapy

Peat, G.; Thomas, M.J.

Abstract

This personal choice of research themes and highlights from within the past year (1 May 2019 to 14 April 2020) spans descriptive, analytical-observational, and intervention studies. Descriptive estimates of the burden of osteoarthritis continue to underscore its position as a leading cause of disability worldwide, but whose burden is often felt greatest among disadvantaged and marginalised communities. Many of the major drivers of that burden are known but epidemiological studies continue the important work of elaborating on their timing, dose, specificity, and reversibility and placing them within an appropriate multi-level framework. A similar process of elaboration is seen also in studies (re-)estimating the relative benefits and risks of existing interventions, in some cases helping to identify low-value care, unwarranted variation, and initiating processes of deprescribing and decommissioning. Such research need not engender therapeutic nihilism. Our review closes by highlighting some emerging evidence on the efficacy and safety of novel therapeutic interventions and with a selective roll-call of methodological and meta-research in OA illustrating the continued commitment to improving research quality.

Citation

Peat, G., & Thomas, M. (2021). Osteoarthritis year in review 2020: epidemiology & therapy. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 29(2), 180-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2020.10.007

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 29, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 23, 2020
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Deposit Date: Jun 19, 2023
• Journal: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
• Print ISSN: 1063-4584
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 180-189
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2020.10.007
• Keywords: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Biomedical Engineering; Rheumatology; Osteoarthritis; Epidemiology; Treatment; Clinical
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Osteoarthritis year in review 2020: epidemiology & therapy; Journal Title: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2020.10.007; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2020 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd.