Self-assessment of Flare in Osteoarthritis of Lower Limbs

Chronologically, the development of a Flare-OA (osteoarthritis) tool will be addressed in the first part of the project (Part 1) and its psychometric validity was evaluated in the second part (Part 2).

Part 1 of the project: The development of the Flare-OA tool will be conducted in several steps, and needs multiple proficiencies in qualitative research (health psychologist), in quantitative research (epidemiologist, psychometrician), in experience of the disease (patients), and in experience of care of the disease (health care professionals).

Two approaches will be taken to define the construct of a flare in lower limb OA: A review of the literature, and the development of a conceptual framework informed by the results of the literature. To help define/conceptualize the construct "Flare in OA" a procedure will be implemented to identify (what are the key variables, or symptoms, that get worse) and clarify (how exactly these variables are described in the literature, by patients, and by clinicians.

Participants :

• - Patients should be representative of the disease spectrum, i.e. of prevalent cases. They will be recruited in clinical settings and epidemiological sources.
• - Health care professionals (HCP) will include General Practitioners, Rheumatologists, Rehabilitation specialists, Orthopaedic surgeons, Nurse in general practice or orthopedic wards, Physiotherapists.

Inclusion criteria

• with clinical and radiological hip or knee OA confirmed by a physician,
• whatever their status regarding flare of OA. The intention of the Flare-OA tool is not to detect current flare only, but also a flare that may have occurred before the encounter with the health care professional. Therefore patient will not be selected on flare, and patients with flare will not be excluded.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who never experienced nor currently report having a flare of OA
• Patients with both hip and knee OA