“It’s a Chronic, Vicious Cycle”: Diabetes Health-care Professionals’ Perceptions of the Impact of Knee Osteoarthritis on Type 2 Diabetes Management

Abstract

Objectives

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and knee osteoarthritis (OA) frequently co-occur, and concomitant knee OA increases risk for diabetes complications. Despite this, OA is frequently undertreated. Diabetes health-care professionals’ (HPs’) perceptions of the impact of knee OA in people with T2D may impact how it is addressed in clinical practice. We aimed to understand how diabetes HPs perceive the impact of knee OA on diabetes management and outcomes.

Methods

In this qualitative study we performed a secondary analysis of semistructured interviews with 18 diabetes HPs (primary care providers, endocrinologists, and diabetes educators) in Ontario, Canada. Transcripts were inductively coded and thematically analyzed.

Results

We developed 3 themes: 1) Patients commonly raise OA-related concerns during diabetes appointments; 2) Impact of OA on diabetes management; and 3) Conscious disconnect between perceived patient and HP priorities. Diabetes HPs recognized that knee OA commonly co-occurred in their patients. Most HPs perceived that OA has deleterious effects on diabetes management through physical inactivity, as well as other mechanisms. Despite observing OA’s impact on their patients, most participants did not address OA due to the focussed structure of diabetes appointments, “single-problem” appointments, and culture of siloed care.

Conclusions

Diabetes HPs recognized the high prevalence of knee OA in their patients and its deleterious effects on diabetes management, although OA management was usually not prioritized. This highlights a missed opportunity in optimizing care for people with T2D. Implementing strategies to promote OA care during diabetes visits may improve disease outcomes for both conditions.