Characteristics and subgroups in greater trochanteric pain syndrome
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical characteristics and subgroups in greater trochanteric pain syndrome
IRAS ID
320505
Contact name
Chris Clifford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Pain at the side of the hip, located over and around the greater trochanter is often termed as Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) or gluteal tendinopathy. Recent research has demonstrated that is primarily due to the gluteal tendons being injured or torn.
This condition is more prevalent in females with a female:male ratio of approximately 4:1. Pain associated with GTPS can affect an individual’s ability to perform daily activities while also having a negative impact on sleep, work and participation in sport. Quality of life is often impaired and comparable to severe hip osteoarthritis. A significant number of report chronic pain and disability with 29% and 45% of individuals continuing to experience pain at five and 11-year follow-up respectively. In a primary care population, gluteal tendinopathy is the most common lower limb tendinopathy.
Exercise programmes which specifically target the gluteal muscles and tendons are normally the first-line treatment, however 20-50% of individuals do not fully recover within 12 months with this intervention. The reasons for this poor response remain unclear but may be associated with the presence of certain clinical characteristics. Diabetes, obesity, co-existing musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological factors may affect prognosis and treatment outcome. In clinical trials, participants with GTPS are often grouped together regardless of individual clinical characteristics. Current treatment strategies appear inadequate for a proportion of patients with this condition meaning alternative options are required to achieve a positive clinical outcome.
Subgroups of patients within the same condition have been identified in low back pain and osteoarthritis and three subgroups were recently identified for Achilles tendinopathy based on clinical characteristics. Thus, it is important to look for subgroups for patients with GTPS. The results of this study will help to identify whether subgroups exist for this condition which allow for more targeted treatment in the future
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
23/WS/0129
Date of REC Opinion
12 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion