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OBJECTIVES: Knee osteoarthritis affects millions globally, and understanding characteristics of participants included in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that inform current treatment recommendations is required to assess their global applicability. We aimed to comprehensively describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of participants reported in knee osteoarthritis RCTs of first-line care. METHODS: Nine databases, guideline repositories, and professional associations' websites were searched from inception to March 2025 for higher-quality systematic reviews (determined by A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews-2) and clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) (determined by Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II). Sociodemographic (guided by the PROGRESS-Plus framework) and clinical characteristics reported in RCTs included within these systematic reviews and CPGs were extracted and summarised descriptively. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO #CRD42023463878. RESULTS: ), multimorbid (range=2-14 comorbidities), and experiencing moderate pain (average=58/100). CONCLUSION: Limited reporting and global population representation in knee osteoarthritis RCTs reduces applicability of findings, undermines treatment recommendations, and risks exacerbating existing global health inequities. Addressing reporting and representation blind spots is urgently needed in RCTs informing first-line care for knee osteoarthritis.
Low et al. (Sun,) studied this question.