title: Obesity, ostearthritis and clinical treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between BMI and pain and function in patients with OA undergoing medical treatment following OARSI recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight patients were classified according to their arthritis degree by X-ray and body mass index (BMI). All patients completed the WOMAC, Lequesne, and visual analogue pain scale (VAS) questionnaires at baseline and after six months treatment. All patients were treated with diacerhein and analgesics (according to pain), orthotics (when indicated), and an educational program on osteoarthritis. They were instructed on balanced diet and exercise at least three times a week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant BMI variation in this study. The higher the initial BMI, the lower the improvement in pain (p = 0.03). Pain did not improve significantly (p = 0.2). Function improved (p <0.001) in inverse ratio to the initial BMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BMI determines how patients will improve pain and function.
authors: 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas , Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Andres de la Espriella
authors: Ade L
authors: Rosales
authors: 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas , Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Nadia Lucila Rocha
authors: NL
authors: Brito
authors: 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas , Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Frucchi
authors: 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas , Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Gustavo Constantino
authors: GC
authors: de Campos
authors: 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas , Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Alexandre Felicio
authors: AF
authors: Pailo
authors: 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, 1. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas , Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Márcia Uchôa
authors: MU
authors: de Rezende
keywords: Body mass index; Knee; Obesity; Osteoarthritis