Exploring the priorities of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee

Objective. To explore the perceived importance of symptoms, treatment prefe rences, and research priorities of people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the k nee. Methods. Results of a focus group were used to facilitate the design of a q uestionnaire, distributed to 112 people with knee OA. Results. Pain, disability, and instability in the joint were the most impor tant symptoms, and anxiety about knee OA caused distress to many people. Or al drugs (90%), physical therapy (62 %), and aids and adaptations (56%) wer e the most commonly used treatments. Surgery, oral drugs, and intra-articul ar injections were perceived as the most efficacious interventions. Patient s' highest priorities for research were surgery and educational interventio ns, despite the fact that few had had surgery and education was not perceiv ed as very effective. Conclusions. The lack of a patient-centered approach to care leads professi onals to ignore key symptoms and issues for individuals, and to a preoccupa tion with pharmaceutical interventions, rather than the treatment options t hat their patients prefer.