Economic evaluation of a primary care-based education programme for patients with osteo-arthritis of the knee

This study is an economic evaluation of a general practice-based nurse-led education programme for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The OAK study failed to demonstrate improvements in knowledge, self-efficacy in arthritis management, or health outcomes after 1 year. Not only were the differences not statistically significant, they were not consistent in direction. The cost analysis showed a highly significant increase in costs for the patients randomised to receive the education programme. There was no evidence that the costs of the educational intervention were offset by reduced utilisation of other health services during the period of follow-up. This evidence lends support to contention that general practice-based patient education programmes for knee osteoarthritis are not a cost-effective use of healthcare resources. However further evidence is required before this can be confirmed.