Cohort profile: the Halland osteoarthritis (HALLOA) cohort–from knee pain to osteoarthritis: a longitudinal observational study in Sweden

Abstract

PurposeThe overall objective in this study is to investigate the early development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and its association with hand or/and knee OA, metabolic diseases, biomarkers, chronic pain, physical function and daily physical activity types.ParticipantsThe Halland osteoarthritis (HALLOA) cohort is a longitudinal cohort study that includes individuals with knee pain in the southwest of Sweden. Enrolment took place from 2017 to 2019. The inclusion criteria were current knee pain, with no former known radiographic knee OA and no cruciate ligament rupture or rheumatological disorder. The participants were recruited: (1) when seeking care for knee pain in primary healthcare or (2) by advertisements in local newspapers. There are 306 individuals included in the study, mean age (SD) 51.7 (8.7) years and 69% are women. The baseline and follow-ups include clinical tests, radiographical examinations, blood samples, metabolic measures, pain pressure thresholds, tests of physical functions, daily physical activity types and patient-reported outcomes.Findings to dateThere were associations between metabolic factors and radiographic knee OA, even in those with normal body mass index at baseline. In addition, clinical hand OA was positively associated with fasting plasma glucose. We also found that modifiable factors as increased visceral fat and total body fat were associated with increased pain sensitivity among individuals with knee pain.Future plansBy studying possible pathophysiological mechanisms of OA over time, we aim to provide new insights on OA progression, identify usable preventive measures helping the clinicians in the management of the disease and improve health for the patients. It is also important to study the development of chronic pain in OA, to get tools to identify individuals at risk and to be able to offer them treatment.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04928170).

Associations between metabolic factors and radiographic knee osteoarthritis in early disease - a cross-sectional study of individuals with knee pain

“…This cross-sectional study present baseline data from an ongoing five-year longitudinal study, the Halland osteoarthritis cohort (HALLOA), n = 306. The HALLOA cohort profile has been published [18]. The inclusion criteria were knee pain, with no former known RKOA, with a preferred age of 30-65 years.…”

Development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis and the associations to radiographic changes and baseline variables in individuals with knee pain: a 2-year longitudinal study

“…The intention of the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the HALLOA cohort (knee pain with no previous cruciate ligament injury) was to find individuals at an early stage of KOA with risk of developing RKOA. The exclusion of individuals with cruciate ligament injury (a strong RKOA predictor)44 was set in order to fit the aim of the HALLOA cohort 20…”

“…This study is part of the HALLOA cohort 20. A patient research partner, educated by the Swedish Rheumatism Association, was involved in the development of the HALLOA cohort.…”

“…The current study is part of an ongoing, 5-year longitudinal study, the Halland osteoarthritis cohort (HALLOA) ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04928170). The study is described in detail elsewhere 20 and part of the results in this study has been published as a conference abstract. 21 Continuous enrolment took place between 2017 and 2019.…”

Experiences of Health-Promoting Activities among Individuals with Knee Pain: The Halland Osteoarthritis Cohort

“…The study was a part of the Halland Knee Osteoarthritis cohort study (HALLOA), a longitudinal study including 306 individuals with knee pain in southwest Sweden [ 36 ]. The HALLOA cohort is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04928170).…”