Osteoarthritis Treatments: Fact vs. Fiction
Uncover the truth about osteoarthritis treatments. A recent study reveals alarming gaps in how osteoarthritis, a primary source of chronic pain, is managed in Austria, even with established guidelines. Discover how many patients are not receiving recommended interventions like weight management and the overuse of non-evidence-based treatments such as vitamins and plant-based products. News directory 3 reports on the disconnect between clinical practice and EULAR recommendations, underscoring the need for increased awareness of proven strategies. Learn why aligning treatments with existing guidelines is crucial for improving patient outcomes, focusing on physical therapy and the potential benefits the secondary keyword might offer. Discover what’s next …
Osteoarthritis Treatment Gaps Seen in Austrian Registry
Barcelona, Spain—A recent study presented at the 2025 EULAR congress highlights significant gaps in how osteoarthritis is managed in Austria, despite existing European guidelines. The BLOAR registry, encompassing data from 1,716 Austrian patients, reveals a disconnect between recommended practices and real-world treatment.
Osteoarthritis, a major cause of chronic pain, impacts physical function and quality of life. EULAR has established guidelines for managing the condition in the hand, hip, and knee. However, the new findings indicate these guidelines aren’t consistently followed.
The registry data shows that knee osteoarthritis is the most common (52.2%), followed by hand (23.5%), hip (17.7%), and other joints (6.7%). Over 80% of patients reported moderate to severe disease impact, with 16% having reduced work hours or lost their jobs. Pain levels averaged 24.7 at rest and 42.8 during activity, on a scale of 1 to 100.
While 67% of patients consulted doctors and 61.4% received active physical therapy, a surprisingly low 11.8% participated in dietary interventions or weight management programs. Medication use,including pain relief,was reported by 37.5%, while many patients used vitamins (40.3%) and plant-based products (12.6%).
These results expose a gap between clinical practice and EULAR recommendations, which emphasize weight management for hip and knee osteoarthritis patients. the guidelines state that overweight or obese individuals should recieve support for weight loss, yet this approach is underutilized.
Valentina Schmolik noted the high prevalence of non-evidence-based treatments like vitamins and plant-based products, which EULAR does not recommend.
The study authors stress the need to increase awareness and implementation of evidence-based interventions. They advocate for aligning treatment with established guidelines to improve patient outcomes. Addressing patient preferences and dispelling misconceptions through education is also crucial, given the popularity of non-standardized treatments for osteoarthritis.