NOTE: No CEs are available for this Symposium.

In today’s complex health care environment, it is important to recognize the adverse relationship that exists between knee osteoarthritis (OA) and comorbidities. Persons with OA are typically older, obese, already have one or more comorbid conditions, and are at risk for polypharmacy-related problems. 

Treatment selection in such cases can be challenging—there may be associated risks, complications, and/or contraindications with approved and recommended knee OA interventions. Certain comorbid conditions such as dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus require routine physical activity, which can be particularly problematic to perform in the presence of painful debilitating knee OA. 

Moreover, knee OA can lead to reduced physical activity and increased risk of Disease Management Specialists play an important role in the evaluation, planning, integration, and coordination of appropriate care and education for persons with knee OA. 

As such, these specialists are uniquely positioned to identify the relationship between knee OA and comorbidities as well as key opportunities to improve the care of affected persons in a timely, beneficial, efficient, and cost-effective manner. 

This interactive symposium will feature two distinguished faculty members who will impart background disease information; address your questions, and offer simple strategies on the early, optimal detection of comorbid conditions in knee OA various care pathways to consider in different case scenarios; pertinent probing questions to pose to the health care team; and prime opportunities to ensure positive health outcomes in this member population.

1. Recognize the relationship between knee osteoarthritis (OA) and comorbid diseases and its deleterious consequences.
2. Discuss common nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options for knee OA.
3. Identify potential patient-provider, payer, and healthcare system barriers to positive health outcomes in patients with knee OA and comorbid diseases.
4. Develop and facilitate multidisciplinary care plans that address patients’ global health, including OA and comorbid conditions.