ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00391859.
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Osteoarthritis
Pharmacist-initiated intervention trial in osteoarthritis: A multidisciplinary intervention for knee osteoarthritis†
Article first published online: 28 NOV 2012
DOI: 10.1002/acr.21763
Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Rheumatology
Additional Information
How to Cite
Marra, C. A., Cibere, J., Grubisic, M., Grindrod, K. A., Gastonguay, L., Thomas, J. M., Embley, P., Colley, L., Tsuyuki, R. T., Khan, K. M. and Esdaile, J. M. (2012), Pharmacist-initiated intervention trial in osteoarthritis: A multidisciplinary intervention for knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care Res, 64: 1837–1845. doi: 10.1002/acr.21763
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 28 NOV 2012
- Article first published online: 28 NOV 2012
- Accepted manuscript online: 28 AUG 2012 10:16AM EST
- Manuscript Accepted: 7 JUN 2012
- Manuscript Received: 17 NOV 2011
Funded by
- Canadian Arthritis Network
- Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
Abstract
Objective
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a commonly undiagnosed condition and care is often not provided. Pharmacists are uniquely placed for launching a multidisciplinary intervention for knee OA.
Methods
We performed a cluster randomized controlled trial with pharmacies providing either intervention care or usual care (14 and 18 pharmacies, respectively). The intervention included a validated knee OA screening questionnaire, education, pain medication management, physiotherapy-guided exercise, and communication with the primary care physician. Usual care consisted of an educational pamphlet. The primary outcome was the pass rate on the Arthritis Foundation's quality indicators for OA. Secondary outcomes included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS), the Paper Adaptive Test-5D (PAT-5D), and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3).
Results
One hundred thirty-nine patients were assigned to the control (n = 66) and intervention (n = 73) groups. There were no differences between the groups in baseline measures. The overall quality indicator pass rate was significantly higher in the intervention arm compared to the control arm (difference of 45.2%; 95% confidence interval 34.5, 55.9). Significant improvements were observed for the intervention care group as compared to the usual care group in the WOMAC global, pain, and function scores at 3 and 6 months (all P < 0.01); the PAT-5D daily activity scores at 3 and 6 months (both P < 0.05); the PAT-5D pain scores at 6 months (P = 0.05); the HUI3 single-attribute pain scores at 3 and 6 months (all P < 0.05); and the LEFS scores at 6 months (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Pharmacists can launch a multidisciplinary intervention to identify knee OA cases, improve the utilization of treatments, and improve function, pain, and quality of life.