Clinical efficacy on pain reduction was present , although not predictable after weight loss .
Meta-regression analysis indicated that physical disability of patients with knee OA and overweight diminished after a moderate weight reduction regime .
This review aims to assess by meta- analysis of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) changes in pain and function when overweight patients with knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) achieve a weight loss .
Weight loss: the treatment of choice for knee osteoarthritis? A randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE We wanted to assess the effect of rapid diet-induced weight loss on the function of obese , knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) patients . METHODS Eighty patients with knee OA , 89 % women ( n=71 ) , were recruited . Mean ( SD ) body-mass index ( BMI ) was 35.9 ( 5.1 ) kg/m(2 ) and age 62.6 ( 11.1 ) years . Patients were r and omized to either a low-energy diet ( LED 3.4MJ/day ) , or a control diet ( 5MJ/day ) . The LED group had weekly dietary sessions , whereas the control group was given a booklet describing weight loss practice s.  Changes in body weight and body composition were examined as independent predictors of changes in knee OA symptoms . Symptoms were monitored by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities ' ( WOMAC ) OA index . RESULTS The LED and control group lost a mean ( SE ) of 11.1 (0.6)% and 4.3 (0.6)% , respectively , with a mean difference being 6.8 % ( 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : 5.5 to 8.1 % ; P<0.0001 ) . The decrease in body fat percent was higher in the LED group , 2.2 % ( 1.5 to 3.0 % ; P<0.0001 ) . The total WOMAC index improved in the LED group ( P<0.0001 ) , but not in the control group ( P=0.12 ) , mean difference : -219.3 mm ( -369.2 to -69.4 mm ; P=0.005 ) . The ' Number Needed to Treat ( NNT ) ' to ensure an improvement in WOMAC>/=50 % was 3.4 ( 2.1 to 8.8 ) patients . Changes in total WOMAC index were best predicted by the reduction of body fat percent , with a 9.4 % ( 4.8 to 13.9 % ) improvement in WOMAC for each percent of body fat reduced ( P=0.0005 ) . CONCLUSIONS In our patients with knee OA , a weight reduction of 10 % improved function by 28 % . LED might be of advantage to control diet because of the rapidity of weight loss and a more significant loss of body fat
Clinical efficacy on pain reduction was present , although not predictable after weight loss .
Meta-regression analysis indicated that physical disability of patients with knee OA and overweight diminished after a moderate weight reduction regime .
This review aims to assess by meta- analysis of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) changes in pain and function when overweight patients with knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) achieve a weight loss .