Can Arthritis Be Prevented? The TOPs Study - An Overview

Can osteoarthritis be prevented? The big question on everyone’s mind. We know that education, exercise, and weight management are core components of osteoarthritis treatment and can make meaningful differences to symptoms, functionality and quality of life.

For years, health professionals have maintained the idea that osteoarthritis cannot be prevented but adopting a proactive approach to joint health can significantly reduce the risk, that is until now. Finally, a world first study looks at whether early implementation of these strategies can protect against knee osteoarthritis.

Researchers have launched one of the first global clinical trials to explore whether a diet and exercise program designed for weight loss can prevent the onset of debilitating knee osteoarthritis. The study is led by researchers from the University of Sydney and the Kolling Institute in collaboration with an international team from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, Boston’s Women’s Hospital, and the University of North Carolina.

The Osteoarthritis Prevention Study (TOPS) will evaluate the effects of a combined dietary weight loss, exercise, and weight maintenance program versus a health education intervention in preventing knee osteoarthritis. This condition is the leading cause of disability, primarily affecting overweight or obese women over 50.

The large-scale trial will span four years, with participants either following a structured diet and exercise program or receiving a healthy lifestyle program that includes information sessions, newsletters, and text messages.

Professor David Hunter, a renowned rheumatologist at Royal North Shore Hospital and leading expert in Osteoarthritis, emphasised that this is one of the first prevention-focused clinical trials aimed at helping individuals with occasional knee pain reduce their risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. 

The study is suitable for people who are:

• Female
• Aged 50 years or older
• Can speak and read English sufficiently to understand study procedures, complete questionnaires and provide informed consent,
• Have a BMI of 30 or higher,
• Have no pain or infrequent pain in at least one knee,
• Able to commit to weekly diet and exercise classes (1-2 hours per week) or health education classes over a 48-month period, and
• Willing and able to travel for the study visits and classes. Study visits will occur at Castlereagh Imaging in St Leonards and Royal North Shore Hospital in St Leonards and classes will be held at St Leonards and Hunters Hill.

If you are interested in learning more about this study, you can always check out the website here TOPS Study — Osteoarthritis Clinical Research Group

In addition, Dr. David Hunter will be presenting an exclusive webinar for The Arthritis Movement on the 18 February, at 6pm NSW time & 5pm QLD time to share the evidence that exists on preventing osteoarthritis in the knee. In addition, you will be able to take advantage of a live Q&A session at the end of the presentation to ask Dr. Hunter any questions that come to mind. To register, you can register at Arthritis Webinar Series Supported by fisiocrem | The Arthritis Movement or give us a call on 1800 011 041. You don’t want to miss this incredible opportunity.