Management of patients with osteoarthritis: contribution and limitations of clinical and radiological follow-up

The rheumatologist's contribution Several data favor regular referral of patients with osteoarthritis to rheumatology specialists and/or continued follow-up by general practitioners. Important elements include difficulties in establishing the initial diagnosis, technical procedures, and individual adaptation of drugs and/or non-drug treatments. Follow-up The different elements of follow-up include the patient's overall opinion concerning disease progression, pain assessment, control of body weight and body mass index, evaluation of joint movement, analysis of treatment efficacy and tolerance, and radiological surveillance to evaluate the rate of progression of joint space narrowing. A novel follow up tool An annual follow up visit appears to be advisable in addition to those motivated by acute events. NEGMA-LERADS Laboratories proposes to rhumatologists a novel follow up tool, ART'ROSE(R), designed to facilitate patient adherence to disease management by focusing attention on priority elements.