SP0078 Self-management in osteoarthitis: What is the evidence ?

Because of aging of the population, epidemic of obesity and irreversibility of the disease process, osteoarthritis is going to be one of the main public health concerns in the next few years all around the world. Since no curative treatment is available, chronicity of the disease is inevitable. Thus, the role of the patient in the management of pain and loss of function becomes critical on a day-to-day basis. For this aim, quite all the national and international organizations/societies recommend encouraging self-management in OA. Self-management can be defined as the control of pain and dysfunction by the patient him(her)self. It is usually based on programs developed by health professionals but it can also be implemented by the patient alone independently of any medical supports. The usual objectives of such programs can target maladjusted behaviours, inappropriate self medication, non-adherence to pharmacological therapies or to diet programs, and sedentarity. This lecture will review the level of evidence according to the main outcomes: time for exercise, decrease in pain, weight loss. Taken together the evaluation of the evidence for efficacy of such programs is a challenge since the content of these programs differs from one study to another one. Disclosure of Interest None Declared