Osteoarthritis Initiative

The CPCP is the site of a large population-based study of knee osteoarthritis (OA) designed to develop public domain research resources that will assist in the discovery and evaluation of biomarkers for the onset and progression of the disease. In 2006 the Osteoarthritis Initiative , a public-private partnership between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and private industry was able to meet one of it’s missions to share it’s first set of data (with no personal identifying information) being collected that will help researchers interested in knee osteoarthritis to gather as much information as possible to find ways to improve diagnosis and monitoring of osteoarthritis (OA) and foster development of new treatments to help prevent this painful condition. A second set of data was released later in 2006, and a third release will take place this summer in 2007. Subsequent data will be released at approximately six — month intervals. Making this information available to researchers worldwide will expedite the pace of scientific studies and identification of biological and structural markers (biomarkers) for OA.

Is Osteoarthritis a risk you’re willing to take?

Meet Dorothy Williams. Dorothy lives on a quiet road nearby and is quite famous for her flower gardens, which have won awards year after year for beauty and originality. It is the highlight of Dorothy’s year and she has spent many winters planning for the spring’s planting. This year, her eight-year-old granddaughter was to spend the summer with her, learning to plant and tend flowers. Dorothy’s flowerbeds however, sit empty.

Dorothy has been having knee pain for the past few years, but this year it has been especially painful. She is unable to bend to plan or tend her flowers and even had to cancel her granddaughter’s trip.

Dorothy sees her doctor regularly and takes medication for the pain when she needs it most. Her doctor also told her about a 5-year observational research study that she could join to learn more about her osteoarthritis. The Osteoarthritis Initiative is being conducted to better understand prevention and treatment options for OA.

“The OAI finally answered some of my questions. I got the latest information about knee osteoarthritis and felt that I was helping researchers improve the understanding and treatment of knee OA. I discovered that I had a few risk factors besides my knee injury that helped contribute to my osteoarthritis. I was overweight and I’m very active at home, climbing stairs, lifting and bending.

Dorothy receives free exams and has access to the latest arthritis information. Best of all, she is contributing to the future health and well being of others, including her eight-year-old granddaughter.

Although recruitment has ended for this important study, we have ongoing clinical trials that are still seeking interested participants including the osteoarthritis Magnetic Imaging Method and Model (MIME) study. Contact us if you are interested. 

 

Center for Primary Care & Prevention
Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island
111Brewster Street, Pawtucket
Rhode Island, 02860
(401) 729-2894
Lee-Anne_Blakey@mhri.org

 

   

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