Research in the area of osteoarthritis reported from K.D. Allen and colleagues.

"Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability among adults. Although self-management behaviors such as exercise and weight management can improve pain and function, these behaviors are vastly underutilized," scientists in the United States report (see also Alcoholism).

"There is a need to implement effective self-management programs among the growing number of adults with OA. The Self-Management of OsteoArthritis (SeMOA) in Veterans Study examines a 12-month telephone-based OA self-management program in the primary care setting. This manuscript details the design, methodology, and advances of the SeMOA trial. Participants (N=519) with hip or knee CIA are randomly assigned to one of three groups: OA self-management, health education (attention control), or usual care. The OA self-management group receives written and audio materials regarding OA care (including health behaviors, medical care, and interacting with health care providers). A health educator calls participants monthly to review these materials and provide support for developing individualized goals and action plans related to OA management. The health education group receives written and audio materials and monthly calls from a health educator discussing health issues unrelated to OA. Usual care involves no additional materials or phone calls. The primary outcome is change in the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales-2 pain subscale from baseline to 12 months. ...