Researchers, including those at the Kolling Institute, have launched a study to investigate if a diet and exercise program aimed at weight loss can prevent the development of crippling knee osteoarthritis.
The trial will be led by researchers from the University of Sydney and the Kolling Institute, in collaboration with an international team from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Osteoarthritis Prevention Study will compare the impact of a dietary weight-loss, exercise and weight-loss maintenance program with health education in preventing the development of knee osteoarthritis.
The condition is the leading cause of disability among adults, particularly impacting women over 50 who are overweight or obese.
Internationally recognised rheumatologist, leading University of Sydney researcher and Royal North Shore Hospital clinician Professor David Hunter said the study is one of the first prevention clinical trials which could help people with occasional knee pain reduce their risk of knee osteoarthritis.
“Our trial has come at a time when an increasing number of people are turning to medications like Ozempic or GLP-1 agonists to assist with weight loss and the management of knee osteoarthritis,” he said. “These weight-management medications are a feasible option for managing the condition, but questions remain around safety, cost-effectiveness and the likelihood of weight rebounding.”
The research team is now recruiting 320 women who are 50 years or over, who experience little to no knee pain, and who have a Body Mass Index of 30 or more.
“Classes are available on the Lower North Shore of Sydney and the Hunters Hill area, and we encourage women who live or work in these areas to apply to the program,” said Professor Hunter.
