title: The natural history of knee osteoarthritis: India-based knee osteoarthritis evaluation (iKare): a study protocol.
abstract: METHODS
  Multi-center, cross-sectional, observational study. STUDY CENTER(S): Multiple centers in India. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1,000. PRIMARY RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: To characterize patients and treatment utilized for orthopedic patients presenting to both private and public hospital centers in India with knee pain and symptoms suggestive of knee arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients 18 years of age or older who present to a recruiting hospital for treatment of knee pain will be eligible for participation. The subjects must be able to understand and complete the questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with total knee replacement, open wound or evidence of recent surgery, or with a current or a history of tumor and/or fracture in the tibial plateau, femoral condyle or patella, in the affected knee are not eligible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study aims to characterize the following: general demographics of patients presenting with knee pain, severity of knee symptoms at time of presentation, severity of knee pathology at time of presentation, factors associated with the decision to seek medical care, previous treatments and health care contacts, planned treatment, and gaps in treatment perceived by the patient and treating surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Global Research Solutions, Inc., Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: Global Research Solutions, Inc., Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Chuan Silvia
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Parag
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sancheti
authors.affiliation: AO Foundation, AO Clinical Investigation and Documentation (AOCID), Dübendorf, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Department of Orthopaedics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Mandeep S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dhillon
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bangalore; Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Naik
authors.affiliation: Arthroscopy Sports Medicine, Aash Arthroscopy Centre, Opp. Jalaram Temple, Paldi, Ahmedabad, India.
authors.forename: Nishith V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Hiranandani Orthopaedic Medical Education, Dr. L.H. Hiranandani Hospital Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Vijay D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Sunshine Hospitals, Secunderabad, India.
authors.forename: Gurava
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: B.Y.L. Nair Hospital & T.N. Medical College, Bombay Central, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Jairam
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jagiasi
authors.affiliation: Sunshine Hospitals, Secunderabad, India.
authors.forename: Anil Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Sunshine Hospitals, Secunderabad, India.
authors.forename: Utsav
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ganguly
authors.affiliation: Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Neelam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jhangiani
authors.affiliation: CLARITY Research Group, McMaster University, Department of Orthopedic Surgery Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Canada and Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Hamilton General Hospital, Canada.
authors.forename: Mohit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhandari
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires