CONSEQUENCES OF DEVELOPING PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN IN THE YOUNG ADULT POPULATION: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

• Grant number: 25/07660-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ronaldo Valdir Briani
• Grantee: Maria Vitória Aragão Barbosa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/06403-9 - A four-year, two-phase, multicenter prospective study of the incidence, associated factors, and efficacy of a prevention program for patellofemoral pain: the adult-PFP cohort, AP.GR

Abstract

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is characterized as retro- and/or peripatellar pain that is exacerbated during physical activities such as squatting, running, jumping or landing. The annual prevalence is 23% in the general population, affecting mainly young adults and women. The symptoms of PFP are related to physical and non-physical impairments. Because of its chronic nature, it is possible that PFP is a precursor to patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Few studies have investigated the predictive factors of PFP, and even fewer have explored aspects associated with its onset. Identifying the consequences of PFP can contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. This prospective observational study aims to investigate the consequences of the early development of PFP symptoms in the young adult population (18-35 years). Asymptomatic men and women will be assessed initially and followed up for two years. Demographic, anthropometric, biomechanical, muscle strength, physical activity level, pressure pain threshold and psychological characteristics will be assessed. Participants who develop symptoms of PFP will be invited for a reassessment within three months of the onset of pain. For each participant with PFP reassessed, an asymptomatic participant will be reassessed. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses will be used to compare baseline and follow-up assessments of those who did and did not develop PFP. It is expected that a decrease in the maximum torque of the knee extensors and flexors, hip abductors and extensors, kinematic alterations of the trunk and lower limbs, greater patellofemoral stress, lower functional capacity, decreased levels of physical activity, higher body mass index (BMI), higher levels of anxiety and depression, lower levels of pressure pain threshold will be the main early consequences of developing PFP. In addition, differences in the consequences between the sexes will be found.