Using Generalized Estimating Equations to Compare the Effect of Two Methods in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Afshar Shahmohammadi
Department of Biostatistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Akbar Biglarian
Department of Biostatistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Enayatollah Bakhshi *
Department of Biostatistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Khosro Khademi Kalantari
Department of Physiotherapy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: We aimed to compare the effect of two different treatment methods on severity pain in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis.
Materials and Methods: A total of 40 female patients with severe knee OA were randomly assigned into two parallel groups: An intervention group received standard physiotherapy treatment accompanied by knee traction, and a control group received only standard physiotherapy treatment. Both groups were subjected to a follow-up period of 5 weeks (10 times). Generalized Estimating Equations model was used to estimate the odds of a pain as a function of the groups adjusted for potential confounders.
Results: Using intervention as the reference group, the pain odds ratios was 3.17 (95% CI: 1.24—8.09) for control group.
Conclusion: We would recommend using of the common physiotherapy treatment accompanied by knee traction instead of common physiotherapy procedure in patients with severe knee OA.
Keywords: Osteoarthritis, pain, knee traction