Is There a Dose‐Response Relationship Between Weight Loss and Symptom Improvement in Persons With Knee Osteoarthritis?

• Published in: Arthritis care & research (2010) 2016-08, Vol.68 (8), p.1106-1114
• Main Authors: Atukorala, Inoshi, Makovey, Joanna, Lawler, Luke, Messier, Stephen P., Bennell, Kim, Hunter, David J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Knee - complications; Osteoarthritis, Knee - diet therapy; Pain - epidemiology; Pain - etiology; Weight Loss
• ISSN: 2151-464X; 2151-4658
• DOI: 10.1002/acr.22805

Objective We examined the dose‐response relationship between weight reduction and pain/functional improvement in persons with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) participating in a community‐based weight loss program. Methods Consecutive participants with KOA and enrolled in the 18‐week Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life weight‐loss program were selected. In this completer‐type analysis, participants were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 18 weeks for body weight and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales. The dose‐response relationship between weight‐change categories (>10%, 7.6–10%, 5.1–7.5%, 2.6–5.0%, and 2.5% reduction in body weight. There was a significant dose‐response relationship between all KOOS subscales and percentage of weight change across all weight‐change categories. Participants required ≥7.7% (95% confidence interval 5.2, 13.3) body weight loss to achieve a minimal clinically important improvement in function. Conclusion There is a significant dose‐response relationship between percentage of weight loss and symptomatic improvement. This study confirms the feasibility of weight loss as a therapeutic intervention in KOA in a community‐based setting.