Work

Reducing the burden of osteoarthritis in Australia: A 2024–2025 research priority-setting study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To identify research priorities for osteoarthritis (OA) in Australia to reduce the individual and societal burden of OA. Design: We used accepted priority setting methodology involving multiple stages: 1) gathering unanswered research priorities from selected literature; 2) assembling an expert panel and using an online survey to obtain additional priorities from panelists; 3) consolidating research priorities (eg. removing duplicates); 4) panel rating of priorities for importance on an 11-point numeric rating scale (0 = 'not at all important; 10 = 'extremely important') via another online survey; 5) analyzing and compiling the final list of priorities; and 6) addressing implementation via a one-day National Summit. Results: 38 research priorities were identified from the literature. 288 nation-wide panel experts (204 consumers/carers/consumer organisations; 47 clinicians from 9 disciplines; 32 researchers; and 5 industry/research funders) provided an additional 99 priorities. Following consolidation, 90 priorities remained and were organised under 8 themes. 204 of the original panelists (71 %) rated the priorities. All priorities scored a mean importance rating ≥6 and so were retained, giving a final list of 90. Mean (SD) importance scores for the top 20 priorities ranged from 8.2 (1.9) to 8.9 (1.9). Overall, the top 3 priorities related to developing drugs/strategies to prevent disease progression and regeneration of damaged cartilage. There was variation across consumers, clinicians and researchers, with only 2 of the same priorities ranked in each of their top 20. Conclusions: We determined key research priorities for OA. These can help guide research directions and funding to enhance outcomes for people with OA.

Source: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open

DOI: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2025.100706