Project Arthritis Recovering Quality of Life Through Education 70+

Introduction: Quadriceps weakness was previously associated with functional impairment of osteoarthritis (OA). Evidence also suggests that muscle strength may prevent the progression of existing OA. It is estimated that the decline in muscle mass between 40 and 80 years is between 30% and 50%, with reported losses in functional capacity reaching 3% each year beyond the age of 60 years. Therefore, procedures capable of increasing the effects of exercise on muscle strength and function may be beneficial for elderly patients with knee OA. The results of our studies have shown that with each year of life the patient loses strength gain capacity. Objective: To evaluate if a multiprofessional educational program associated with BCAA and creatine supplementation improves the quality of life, function, pain and body composition of patients with OA and age greater than or equal to 70 years. METHODS: 34 patients with knee OA and age greater than or equal to 70 years will undergo an educational and physical training program lasting 20 weeks. Half of the patients will receive creatine (control) and the others will receive creatine and BCAA (study). Patients will be evaluated through functional tests (sit-up and 30-second tests and time up and go), standardized questionnaires (WOMAC and Lequesne), quality of life scales (Euroqol-EQ-5D-5L), pain (through VAS), body composition and bone density (through densitometry), and level of physical activity. All of the above parameters will be assessed at the beginning of the study and 6 and 12 months later. All project costs will be reported and a cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis will be performed. All project costs will be reported and a cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis will be performed.