Abstract
The “Joint Effort Initiative” (JEI) is an international consortium of clinicians, researchers, and consumers under the auspices of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI). The JEI was formed with a vision to improve the implementation of coordinated programs of best evidence osteoarthritis care globally. To better understand some of the issues around osteoarthritis care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the JEI invited clinician researcher representatives from South Africa, Brazil, and Nepal to discuss their perspectives on challenges and opportunities to implementing best-evidence osteoarthritis care at the OARSI World Pre-Congress Workshop. We summarize and discuss the main themes of the presentations in this paper. The challenges to implementing evidence-based osteoarthritis care identified in LMICs include health inequities, unaffordability of osteoarthritis management and the failure to recognize osteoarthritis as an important disease. Fragmented healthcare services and a lack of health professional knowledge and skills are also important factors affecting osteoarthritis care in LMICs. We discuss considerations for developing strategies to improve osteoarthritis care in LMICs. Existing opportunities may be leveraged to facilitate the implementation of best-evidence osteoarthritis care. We also discuss strategies to support the implementation, such as the provision of high-quality healthcare professional and consumer education, and systemic healthcare reforms.
Highlights
The World Health Organization acknowledges osteoarthritis, a chronic disease that affects the tissues of moveable joints, as a leading cause of disability and a major threat to healthy aging [1]
Osteoarthritis Low- and Middle-Income Countries, it refers to limited capacity to participate effectively in society, and importantly, it may lead to social discrimination and exclusion from participation in decision-making [2]
Estimates of years lived with disability (YLD) attributed to osteoarthritis increased by 10% globally, while estimates rose by 9% in South Africa, 15% in Brazil, and 21% in Nepal [4]
Summary
The World Health Organization acknowledges osteoarthritis, a chronic disease that affects the tissues of moveable joints, as a leading cause of disability and a major threat to healthy aging [1]. Estimates of years lived with disability (YLD) attributed to osteoarthritis increased by 10% globally, while estimates rose by 9% in South Africa, 15% in Brazil, and 21% in Nepal [4]. Despite increasing prevalence rates and YLDs, little is known about the determinants of osteoarthritis health in LMICs [5, 6], or how to best tackle this urgent public health problem. These issues have been highlighted as a priority area for international osteoarthritis research [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
