Standards of care for people with osteoarthritis
| Level of agreement | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOC 1 | People with symptoms of OA should have access to a health professional competent in making a (differential) diagnosis. | 9.9 |
| SOC 2 | People with symptoms of OA should be assessed at diagnosis and upon significant worsening for ▸ Pain ▸ Function ▸ Physical activity ▸ BMI ▸ Ability to do their tasks and work | 9.5 |
| SOC 3 | People with OA should receive a treatment plan with a shared treatment target set between them and a health professional. | 9.3 |
| SOC 4 | People with OA should have access to different health professionals such as occupational therapist and physiotherapist if needed to treat their symptoms and achieve optimal possible functioning in daily life and participation in social roles (including paid work). | 9.4 |
| SOC 5 | People with OA should achieve optimal pain control using pharmacological and non-pharmacological means. | 9.7 |
| SOC 6 | People with OA should achieve optimal function using pharmacological and non-pharmacological means. | 9.7 |
| SOC 7 | People with OA receiving NSAID or aspirin therapy should be assessed for GI bleeding risk, CVD risks and renal risks. | 9.6 |
| SOC 8 | People with OA should receive information tailored to their needs within 3 months of diagnosis by health professionals about ▸ their disease and all aspects of living with and managing their OA, in written form and in a format suited and tailored to the individual, in a timely fashion appropriate to their needs; ▸ the benefit of exercises and physical activity and should be instructed to exercise appropriately; ▸ aids, devices and other products for environmental adaptations; ▸ ergonomic principles and activity-based methods to enhance functioning in daily life and participation in social roles; ▸ the importance of an ideal body weight; ▸ the role of analgesics—their potential benefits and risks; ▸ a healthy lifestyle (such as discontinuation of all types of tobacco use, balanced use of alcohol, physical activity, healthy diet, management of sleep disturbance if necessary); ▸ prevention of accidents and injuries; ▸ support groups and patient organisations; ▸ when to think about surgery; ▸ additional treatment options provided some people might find useful; | 9.5 |
| SOC 9 | People with OA should receive information about weight reduction if necessary. | 9.8 |
| SOC 10 | People with OA failing to respond to pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy should be considered for surgical intervention. If referred, they should be seen by an orthopaedic surgeon within a reasonable time. | 9.5 |
BMI, body mass index; CVD, cardiovascular disease; GI, gastrointestinal; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; OA, osteoarthritis; SOC, standards of care.