LAUSR

Osteoarthritis of the knee (KOA) is a very common rheumatic disease, and its global burden is gradually increasing (1). The benefits of exercise in patients with KOA are supported by high-level evidence and take their place in primary care therapy (2). Today, coronavirus disease 2019 has developed as a pandemic all over the world, creating difficulties in healthcare and highlighting home-based rehabilitation (HBR) (3). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard for evaluating the effects of clinical interventions, but poorly reported results can have negative consequences. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) evaluates the methodological quality of RCTs (4). The CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement has been developed to improve the reporting quality of RCTs (5).There are no studies examining the quality of RCTs related to HBR in patients with KOA.The aim of this study was to assess the reporting quality of HBR trials for KOA, and explore the factors associated with the reporting.Two independent researchers investigated HBR RCTs in patients with KOA published between 1999 and 2020 were sourced from PubMed, the Cochrane Reviews and Web of Science. Each researcher evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies using the PEDro scoring and reporting aspects using 9 items from CONSORT. The relationship between adherence to the CONSORT criteria and the PEDro score were evaluated.Twenty-five RCTs met our eligibility criteria. The mean PEDro score of studies is 5.76 ± 1.48. Only one study found high quality (PEDro score: ≥ 9). The PEDro scores were: randomization type (96%, 24/25) and baseline comparability (92%, 23/25); all studies described group comparisons and variablity measures. In contrast, concealed allocation (18%, 7/25), blinding of participants (16%, 4/25) and therapists (0%) were not included in most studies. The CONSORT criteria were: flow diagram (92%, 23/25), sample size, subgroup analysis and sources of funding (56%, 11/25 for all three), while the majority of studies the trial registration number (16%, 4/25) was not available. A high level of correlation was found between meeting the CONSORT criteria and PEDro scores (r=0.820, p<0.001).The majority of RCTs based on HBR for KOA are low-to-modarate quality studies based on the PEDro score. Adherence to the CONSORT criteria is linked to high quality scores. If the studies are planned and written in accordance with the CONSORT criteria, we think that better quality studies will emerge.[1]Safiri S, Kolahi AA, Smith E, Hill C, Bettampadi D, Mansournia MA, et al. Global, regional and national burden of osteoarthritis 1990-2017: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;79(6):819-28.[2]Skou ST, Pedersen BK, Abbott JH, Patterson B, Barton C. Physical Activity and Exercise Therapy Benefit More Than Just Symptoms and Impairments in People With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. J Orthop Sport Phys. 2018;48(6):439-47.[3]Karasavvidis T, Hirschmann MT, Kort NP, Terzidis I, Totlis T. Home-based management of knee osteoarthritis during COVID-19 pandemic: literature review and evidence-based recommendations. J Exp Orthop. 2020;7(1):52.[4]Sherrington C, Herbert RD, Maher CG, Moseley AM. PEDro. A database of randomized trials and systematic reviews in physiotherapy. Man Ther. 2000;5(4):223-6.[5]Moher D, Hopewell S, Schulz KF, Montori V, Gøtzsche PC, Devereaux PJ, et al. CONSORT 2010 explanation and elaboration: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. Int J Surg. 2012;10(1):28-55.None declared.