Knee pain arthritis study wheels out door-to-door service

Published On Fri 25 Jul 2014 by Roddy Isles

A research study into knee arthritis is looking for volunteers in Dundee, Fife and Angus.

Older people living with knee pain and osteoarthritis are being asked to join a research study hoping to find a safer treatment for reducing pain and improving quality of life. To make it as easy as possible to take part, volunteers are being offered a door-to-door taxi service.

Researchers at the University of Dundee are examining the effects of spironolactone, an inexpensive and well known heart drug which has been on the market for over 40 years and which they believe may have potential to help people with osteoarthritis.

“Spironolactone has never been looked at before in osteoarthritis. We did a recent trial, funded by the Chief Scientist’s Office, which suggested it could be a new approach to reducing pain and improving quality of life for older people with arthritis” said Professor Marion McMurdo, Head of Ageing and Health at the University, who is leading the study.

“We are now following that up with another study and have already had a good response but we do need more people who are living with knee pain and osteoarthritis to help us.

“Having knee pain can make walking, driving and using public transport difficult, so we are offering a taxi service for participants to and from the two hospital visits needed for this study. We are keen to make it as easy as possible for people with sore knees to take part, and would welcome hearing from anyone interested in finding out more about the study.

“We are indebted to the fantastic older community of Tayside who support our research again and again. Offering this taxi service to those who need it is one way of showing our gratitude.”

The study is funded by a £135,000 grant from Arthritis Research UK and aims to recruit 86 people from across the region who are aged 70 years and over with knee pain and osteoarthritis.

One Broughty Ferry lady who has completed the study said, “I really enjoyed taking part. Everyone was so kind and thoughtful. It was good to know that I was helping other people with arthritis. And the researchers will tell me the results at the end of the study.”

People will be given either 25mg spironolactone daily or a matching dummy tablet for 3 months. Each person who takes part will have a 50:50 chance of getting the spironolactone, and neither the researchers nor the patients will know who has got which.

The research team will measure pain, quality of life, stiffness and physical abilities using questionnaires, and take blood tests of inflammation and joint changes before the study begins and again after 3 months.

For more information about the study and how to take part, please phone Ageing and Health in Ninewells Hospital on Dundee 383086 during office hours.

Roddy Isles
Head of Press
TEL: 01382 384910
MOBILE: 07800 581902
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk