Treating arthritis once a year

Researchers are trialling the treatment of osteoarthritis once a year with bisphosphonates - drugs that prevent the loss of bone mass.

Osteoarthritis is characterised by progressive joint and bone damage and is the most common cause of knee pain in people over 50.

The research, led by Professor Flavia Cicuttini at Monash University, is looking at whether a once-a-year treatment with bisphosphonate medications might stop osteoarthritis getting worse. Bisphosphonates are currently used to treat osteoporosis.

Cicuttini said no treatment has been found to stop the degenerative disease and although several drugs have been suggested to slow the disease, little evidence exists to support their use.

“Many people find their only option to relieve pain and improve their quality of life is to have joint replacement surgery,” Cicuttini said.

“If this medication is effective, it will be a completely new treatment for slowing knee osteoarthritis from getting worse. Our ultimate goal is to relieve pain and improve the quality of life for people with knee pain and osteoarthritis.”

The team is continuing to recruit to the Melbourne-based trial for osteoarthritis. In another study they are assessing whether drugs used to lower cholesterol might slow the disease.

The findings are expected to be available in the next three to four years.