title: The effects of exercise and weight loss in overweight patients with hip osteoarthritis: design of a prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is recognised as a substantial source of disability, with pain and loss of function as principal symptoms. An aging society and a growing number of overweight people, which is considered a risk factor for OA, contribute to the growing number of cases of hip OA. In knee OA patients, exercise as a single treatment is proven to be very effective towards counteracting pain and physical functionality, but the combination of weight loss and exercise is demonstrated to be even more effective. Exercise as a treatment for hip OA patients is also effective, however evidence is lacking for the combination of weight loss and exercise. Consequently, the aim of this study is to get a first impression of the potential effectiveness of exercise and weight loss in overweight patients suffering from hip OA.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective cohort study. Patients aged 25 or older, overweight (BMI > 25) or obese (BMI > 30), with clinical and radiographic evidence of OA of the hip and able to attend exercise sessions will be included. The intervention is an 8-month exercise and weight-loss lifestyle program. Main goal is to increase aerobic capacity, lose weight and stimulate a low-calorie and active lifestyle. Primary outcome is self-reported physical functioning. Secondary outcomes include pain, stiffness, health-related quality of life and habitual activity level. Weight loss in kilograms and percentage of fat-free mass will also be measured.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study will give a first impression of potential effectiveness of exercise and weight loss as a combination program for patients with OA of the hip. Once this program is proven to be effective it may lead to postponing the moment of total hip replacement.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NTR1053.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. n.paans@orth.umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Nienke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Paans
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: van den Akker-Scheek
authors.forename: Klaas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: Sjoerd K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bulstra
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D004035:Diet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D018579:Patient Selection; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*