Opioids Cause Joint Degeneration & Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis: Study

Opioid users show faster joint degeneration & progression of Osteoarthritis finds a new research. The research findings have been published in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.;

Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Published On 2021-07-04 15:45 GMT | Update On 2021-07-04 15:48 GMT

Opioids are a broad group of pain-relieving drugs that work by interacting with opioid receptors in your body. Opioid medications help control acute pain, such as surgical pain, pain due to physical trauma etc.

However, the efficacy of opioids has been questioned as studies have shown theuse of opioid medication therapy did not result in significantly better pain-related function. In addition to this, certain sub-types of opioids are suspected of causing chondrotoxicity. Inspite of all this, they are still frequently prescribed for pain control in knee osteoarthritis patients. Knee osteoarthritis is a condition where cartilage in the knee degenerates, or breaks down, resulting in chronic pain.

The impact opioids may have on progression of osteoarthritis in vivo remains unknown. With this background, researchers at the University of California, led by Jannis Bodden, aimed to describe the associations between opioid use and knee structural changes and clinical outcomes, over 4 years.

The study was a cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of patients with knee OA from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). For their cross-sectional cohort, the researchers included 181 patients with baseline opioid use and available right knee magnetic resonance data. For the longitudinal cohort, they included 79 patients with baseline opioid use and available right knee magnetic resonance data who continued opioid use for at least 1 year between baseline and the 4-year follow-up.

Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scores (WORMS) were obtained, including a total summation score. Subscores for cartilage , menisci, and bone marrow abnormalities and subchondral cyst-like lesions were also taken into account. Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcomes score (KOOS) symptoms, quality of life (QOL), and pain were also obtained at baseline and follow-up. Linear regression models were used to investigate associations between baseline and longitudinal findings.

As pain may modify observations, a sensitivity analysis was performed for longitudinal findings. All analyses were adjusted for sex, BMI, age, race, and Kellgren-Lawrence grade.

The study showed some interesting results –

Opioid users had greater structural degeneration at baseline and a greater increase over 4, compared to controls. Cartilage and meniscus scores also increased greater in opioid users. All baseline KOOS scores were lower in opioid users compared to controls. Loss in quality of life was also greater.

"Opioid users had worse knee structural degeneration and faster progression. Opioid use was also associated with worse symptoms, pain, and QOL, indicating that opioids may not be suited to prevent subjective disease progression in KOA patients," the research team concluded.

Reference:

Study titled, "Opioid users show worse baseline knee osteoarthritis and faster progression of degenerative changes: a retrospective case-control study based on data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI)," published in Arthritis Research & Therapy.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-021-02524-9

Article Source : Arthritis Research & Therapy

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Dr Kartikeya Kohli

Dr Kartikeya Kohli is an Internal Medicine Consultant at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital in Delhi with super speciality training in Nephrology. He has worked with various eminent hospitals like Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sir Gangaram Hospital. He holds an MBBS from Kasturba Medical College Manipal, DNB Internal Medicine, Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research and Business Development, Fellow DNB Nephrology, MRCP and ECFMG Certification. He has been closely associated with India Medical Association South Delhi Branch and Delhi Medical Association and has been organising continuing medical education programs on their behalf from time to time. Further he has been contributing medical articles for their newsletters as well. He is also associated with electronic media and TV for conduction and presentation of health programs. He has been associated with Medical Dialogues for last 3 years and contributing articles on regular basis.

Comments Policy

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Opioids Cause Joint Degeneration & Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis: Study

Opioid users show faster joint degeneration & progression of Osteoarthritis finds a new research. The research findings have been published in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.;

Similar News

FDA Approves First Vagus Nerve Stimulator for Rheumatoid Arthritis

FDA Grants Fast Track Status to SAP-001 for Treatment-Resistant Gout

Low Mini-Midvastus Approach for Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty: surgical technique

JnJ seeks USFDA approval for Tremfya label update

Incidence of wound complications is very low in TJA when using the Silk Fibroin adhesive for wound closure: study

Low BMI and calcium observed in women with lactation-associated osteoporosis: Frontiers

Hydroxychloroquine Use Linked to Slower Kidney Function Decline in Lupus Nephritis Patients: Study Finds

Machine Learning Flags Key Risks for Early Macular Degeneration: Hypertension, Joint Disorders, and Dyslipidemia: Study