NICE/NCCAC issue new OA care guidelines

The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which gives guidance on the use of therapies under the National Health Service in England and Wales, and the National Collaborating Centre for Acute Care have issued a new set of guidelines for the treatment and care of patients with osteoarthritis. The new advice, which is based on up-to-date drug efficacy results, expanded health economic analysis and adverse event data, recommends certain core lifestyle changes that should be encouraged to help ease the condition.

OA affects 8.5 million people in the UK

OA, the most common form of arthritis, is thought to affect around 8.5 million people in the UK. The disease is characterized by the erosion of cartilage surrounding the joints coupled with a decrease in the amount of synovial fluid present at the bone junction. While closely correlated with age, around 10% of the 25% of over 55 year olds who suffer knee pain do so as a result of the disease. OA is not a result of by cumulative "wear and tear" but rather is due to a variety of causes, including previous injury. Sufferers often experience pain and limited mobility, leading some to develop muscle atrophy through under use.