Prevalence and Health Care Usage of Knee Pain in South Australia (SA): A Population Based Study.

BACKGROUND: It is known that South Australia (SA) has the highest rate of knee arthroscopy use of any state in Australia, however Level 1 evidence demonstrates that knee arthroscopy in patients with uncomplicated knee osteoarthritis confers no benefit. In SA, which patients are presenting with knee pain and what treatments are they receiving?

AIMS: To determine the prevalence, persistence and treatment modalities of knee pain in SA.

METHODS: This study analysed data from the North-West Adelaide Health Study (1999-2015), a longitudinal, population based cohort study of people aged 18 years and over (n=4060), initially randomly selected from the north-west region of Adelaide, SA. It incorporated clinic assessments, self-completed questionnaires and telephone interviews to collect demographic, anthropometric and biochemical data over 4 main stages (1, 2, 3 and NW15). Data were linked to Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) data.

RESULTS: In stages 3 and NW15 of the NWAHS, 30-35% of participants reported knee pain (n=803, 452). Demographic variables associated with knee pain included older age and lower educational level, while risk factors included obesity and high waist circumference. In the 12 months preceding NW15, 33% of participants with knee pain/stiffness consulted a GP for their knee pain, 10.2% an orthopaedic surgeon, and 12.6% a physiotherapist. Between 2011 and 2015, 3.0% the cohort underwent a knee arthroscopy, and 3.1% underwent knee magnetic resonance imaging.

CONCLUSION: Knee pain affects large proportions of the SA population. Knee pain was persistent with underuse of non-pharmacological treatments and high use of specialist referral. This data supports the need for a national strategy to effectively manage osteoarthritis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.