Osteoarthritis Patients Unaware of Treatment Options

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Osteoarthritis Patients Unaware of Treatment Options

November 2, 2000

Aging/MedscapeWire

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Better communication between osteoarthritis patients and healthcare

professionals is needed, according to the results of a recent 292-patient survey

presented at the annual American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meeting in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this week.

The survey was designed to determine the use of medical and nonmedical remedies

for management of osteoarthritis pain. Results showed that a significant

percentage of patients are not being advised to follow the simple guidelines

outlined in the ACR's new recommendations for osteoathritis management. These

guidelines, published in the September issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism,

recommend nonmedical remedies such as exercise and weight control, in

combination with the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief. The new ACR

recommendations, like those issued in 1995, point out that " drug therapy for

pain management is most effective when combined with nonpharmacologic

strategies. "

" As the survey suggests, we need better communication between health

professionals and patients. I recommend an adequate trial with acetaminophen and

nonmedical remedies before moving on to over-the-counter, low-dose,

nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs or prescription medicine, " says D.

Brandt, MD, professor of medicine and head of the rheumatology division at

Indiana University School of Medicine in Bloomington. " Moreover, physicians need

to be certain that patients understand how to properly dose over-the-counter

pain relievers. "

According to Dr. Brandt, effective management of osteoarthritis pain involves

much more than " picking up a prescription pad and pen. " " If we assume that we

can manage osteoarthritis pain by simply writing a prescription, we will often

fail, " Dr. Brandt said. " Exercise to strengthen the muscles surrounding

arthritic joints; weight loss, if the person is obese; and instruction in joint

protection principles form the foundation for effective osteoarthritis

management. " Dr. Brandt recommends a comprehensive program involving both

nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy to obtain maximal improvement in

joint function, reduction in joint pain, and improvement in quality of life

among people with osteoarthritis. In many cases within this comprehensive

approach, over-the-counter acetaminophen may be the only drug required for the

relief of joint pain.

The survey was sponsored by Merck & Co. and Merck Frosst Canada.

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