Osteoarthritis Treatment Gap Exposed: Study Finds Inconsistent Application of Evidence-Based Guidelines

Strategic Insights -

Findings presented at the 2025 EULAR congress in Barcelona, Spain, have highlighted a significant gap between the actual treatment of osteoarthritis and the recommended evidence-based guidelines. An analysis of data from 1,716 people with osteoarthritis in Austria revealed that while most patients receive consultations and physiotherapy, a substantial proportion also receive non-evidence-based treatments. This discrepancy underscores the need for healthcare providers to prioritize adherence to established guidelines and educate patients about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BLOAR registry, which collects comprehensive clinical and demographic information, found that most people with osteoarthritis are treated for the condition in their knees (52.2%), followed by hands (23.5%), hips (17.7%), and other joints (6.7%).
  • Over 80% of patients were moderately or severely affected by their disease, and 16% reported reducing their work hours or losing their job.
  • The majority of patients (67.0%) reported consultations and visits to doctors, while 61.4% had received physiotherapy and 60.4% had physical therapy.
  • However, only 11.8% reported receiving dietary interventions and weight management programs, despite EULAR guidelines emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
  • Patients were more likely to take vitamins (40.3%) and plant-based products (12.6%) than medications (37.5%), even though these supplements are not recommended by EULAR.
  • The study found a significant gap between real-world practice and EULAR recommendations, highlighting the need for increased awareness and implementation of evidence-based interventions.

Statistics:

  • 52.2% of patients with osteoarthritis were treated for the condition in their knees.
  • 23.5% were treated for osteoarthritis in their hands.
  • 17.7% were treated for osteoarthritis in their hips.
  • 6.7% were treated for osteoarthritis in other joints.
  • 67.0% of patients reported consulting doctors.
  • 61.4% of patients received physiotherapy.
  • 60.4% of patients received physical therapy.
  • 40.3% of patients took vitamins.
  • 12.6% of patients took plant-based products.
  • 37.5% of patients took medications.
  • 11.8% of patients received dietary interventions and weight management programs.
  • 80.3% of patients were moderately or severely affected by their disease.

Sources:

  • Schmolik V, et al. Health services usage in the Austrian osteoarthritis registry show a high level of non-evidence-based therapies. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0236-HPR. Ann Rheum Dis 2025; DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.C381.
  • Moseng T, et al. EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological core management of hip and knee osteoarthritis: 2023 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2024;83:730-40. DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-225041.
  • Kloppenburg M, et al. 2018 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of hand osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;78:16-24. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-213826.