title: Move it or Lose it. Is it Reasonable for Older Adults with Osteoarthritis to Continue to Use Paracetamol in Order to Maintain Physical Activity?
abstract: Osteoarthritis is a common progressive disease in older adults, and those affected often have impaired physical function, co-existing disease states, and reduced quality of life. In patients with osteoarthritis, pain is reported as a primary cause of mobility limitation, and guidelines recommend a mix of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies for pain management. The benefits of exercise in the management of osteoarthritis are well established; however, pain appears to be the biggest barrier to patients engaging in, and adhering to, physical activity programs. Attitudes towards the use of pain medications differ widely, and lack of efficacy or fear of side effects may lead to sub-therapeutic dosing. Furthermore, a recent review suggesting that short-term paracetamol use is ineffective for osteoarthritis has added to the confusion. This narrative review investigates limitations of current medications, summarizes patient attitudes toward the use of analgesics for osteoarthritis pain (with a focus on paracetamol), and explores the uptake of physical activity for osteoarthritis management. Evidence suggests that, despite clear guidelines, symptoms of osteoarthritis generally remain poorly managed. More research is required to investigate clinical outcomes in patients with osteoarthritis through optimized medication plans to better understand whether longer-term analgesic use in conjunction with physical activity can assist patients to overcome mobility limitations.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Locked Bag 1, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
authors.forename: Kayla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Locked Bag 1, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Locked Bag 1, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Locked Bag 1, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Alison.Shield@canberra.edu.au.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shield
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen