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Predictors of response to intra-articular steroid injections in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint

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Abstract

This study aimed to determine the factors associated with response to intra-articular steroid injection (IASI) in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis. One hundred seventy-four female patients, age ranging from 30 to 80 years, diagnosed to have osteoarthritis of the knee joint, were given IASI. Response to IASI was assessed by using WOMAC and VAS at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 3 months. At 3 months, the subjects were categorized as responders, partial responders and non-responders to treatment by IASI. Various factors were narrowed down to see their effect on response, namely age, BMI, smoking habits, comorbidities, presence of clinical effusion, radiographic score, local knee tenderness, range of movement and socioeconomic status. One hundred twenty-four patients completed the study. 16.1 % showed 50 % or more improvement in WOMAC score at 3 months post IASI therapy, whereas 38.7 % of OA patients had more than 50 % improvement in VAS score. Out of all factors, range of movement, local knee tenderness and radiographic score of the affected joint are the three parameters which can predict the improvement in WOMAC score after 3 months of IASI therapy (P = 0.013, P = 0.045 and P = 0.000, respectively). Age of the patient can predict improvement in VAS at 3 months post IASI (P = 0.027). We conclude that age, range of movement, local knee tenderness and radiographic score of the affected joint can predict response to IASI after 3 months of IASI therapy.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to express our profound gratitude to the postgraduate rheumatology trainees, Dr. Haris, Dr. Saba and Dr. Ammara, in collecting the data and referring the patients for the study.

Contribution of each author

Dr. Nibah Fatimah: research design, data interpretation and result compilation

Dr. Babur Salim: research design, data collection and article writing

Dr. Ejaz-Ul-Haq: data collection

Dr. Amjad Nasim: research design

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Foundation University Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Nibah Fatimah

  2. Fauji Foundation Hospital, Jhelum road, Rawalpindi, 46000, Pakistan

    Babur Salim, Ejaz-ul-Haq Raja & Amjad Nasim

  3. Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, 6 Zafar Akbar Road Lalazar Colony, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Babur Salim

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  1. Nibah Fatimah
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  2. Babur Salim
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  3. Ejaz-ul-Haq Raja
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Correspondence to Babur Salim.

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The study was self-financed by the team.

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Submission declaration and verification: The work done has not been considered or published elsewhere in any journal.

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Fatimah, N., Salim, B., Raja, EuH. et al. Predictors of response to intra-articular steroid injections in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Clin Rheumatol 35, 2541–2547 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-016-3365-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-016-3365-z

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