Lo GH, et al. - Researchers assessed the relationship of self-selected running on osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms and structure progression in people with knee OA. In individuals 50 years old and older with knee OA, an association of self-selected running was seen with improved knee pain, and not with worsening knee pain or radiographically defined structural progression was seen. Self-selected running, which was likely influenced by knee symptoms and could result in lower intensity and shorter duration sessions of exercise, need not be discouraged in people with knee OA.

Methods

• In this nested cohort study within the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) (2004–2014) authors included those at least 50 years old with OA in at least 1 knee.
• They defined the runners via a self-administered questionnaire at the 96-month visit.
• Experts evaluated symptoms and scored radiographs for Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade (2–4) and medial Joint Space Narrowing (JSN) score (0–3) at baseline and 48-months.
• The association between self-selected running with KL worsening, medial JSN worsening, new knee pain, and improved knee pain over 48 months, was evaluated, adjusting for baseline age, sex, body mass index (BMI), KL score, contralateral KL score, contralateral knee pain, and injury.
• In the case of unavailability of data at the 48-month visit, data from the 36-month visit was used.

Results

• As per data, 1,203 participants had a mean age of 63.2 (7.9) years, BMI of 29.5 (4.6) kg/m², 45.3% were male, and 11.5% were runners.
• Data from 8% of participants needed imputation.
• Authors noted that adjusted odds ratios for KL grade worsening and new frequent knee pain were 0.9 (0.6-1.3) and 0.9 (0.6-1.6) respectively.
• For frequent knee pain resolution, adjusted odds ratio was 1.7 (1.0-2.8).