Table 3 Differences in management between patients with codified diagnosed knee OA versus narratively diagnosed knee OA on index date
|  | Codified diagnosed patients (n = 203) | Narratively diagnosed patients (n = 300) | Absolute difference (%) (95%CI) †|
|---|---|---|---|
Total number of consultations, median (IQR) | 3 (2– 5) | 3 (2–4) |  |
Wait-and-see/ watchful waiting, n (%) | 42 (20.7) | 27 (23.3) | 2.6% (-0.10–0.05) |
Advice, n (%) | 64 (31.5) | 83 (27.7) | -3.8% (-0.04–0.12) |
Medication prescription or advice, n (%) | 100 (49.3) | 143 (47.7) | -1.6% (-0.08–0.10) |
Intra-articular injection, n (%) | 33 (16.3) | 24 (8.0) | -8.3% (-0.15 - -0.02) |
Aids and devices, n (%) | 16 (7.9) | 13 (4.3) | -3.6% (-0.08–0.01) |
Diagnostic work-up, n (%) | 124 (61.1) | 221 (73.7) | 12.6% (0.21–0.04) |
Recommendation of/referral to other primary care practitioners, n (%) | 58 (28.6) | 95 (31.7) | 3.1% (-0.05–0.12) |
Referral to secondary care, n (%) | 111 (54.7) | 173 (57.7) | 3.0% (-0.06–0.12) |