Preliminary Efficacy of a Self‐Management Programme to Improve Quality‐of‐Life in Patients With Obesity and Osteoarthritis Awaiting Arthroplasty: A Randomised Trial

Background Obesity is a risk factor for osteoarthritis and total hip/knee joint replacement and can lead to poorer outcomes following surgical interventions. Aim This work aimed to determine the preliminary efficacy of a self‐management programme versus usual care in improving health‐related quality of life in obese patients with osteoarthritis awaiting joint replacement. Methods This was a two‐group parallel randomised trial involving patients with obesity and osteoarthritis who were awaiting hip or knee arthroplasty. Patients were randomly allocated to the Flinders Program of self‐management support plus usual care or usual care alone groups. Primary outcomes at 10 months were Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) and Osteoarthritis of Knee/Hip Quality of Life (OAKHQoL). Results Ninety‐five patients were randomised to either intervention ( n = 48) or usual care ( n = 47) and analysed in an intent‐to‐treat analysis. While there was no intervention effect in SF‐36, evidence was in favour of intervention for OAKQoL improved social support ( d = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.01–0.83) versus usual care ( d = −0.01, 95% CI: −0.41 to 0.42) ( p = 0.03). Similarly, intervention patients experienced larger improvements for social activity ( d = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.05–0.89) versus usual care ( d = −0.16; 95% CI: −0.58 to 0.25) ( p = 0.005). Conclusion The intervention warrants examination in a larger trial to establish effectiveness among patients with obesity and osteoarthritis awaiting arthroplasty.