Predicting Support for COVID-19 Policies with Partisan Media Use and Negative Emotion: Evidence from the U.S. and South Korea.

While prior scholarship on preventive health behaviors has focused on identifying their cognitive predictors, emerging literature suggests that emotion may also be an important determinant of health behaviors. Drawing from appraisal theory and the discrete-emotions models of affect, the current study establishes emotional pathways to support for COVID-19 policies and social distancing behavior. Analyses of survey data collected in the U.S. and South Korea demonstrate that negative emotion experienced following partisan media use increases support for COVID-19 policies and social distancing behavior. Particularly, fear and anxiety toward the pandemic emerged as strong mediators in both countries while sadness also mediated the pathways in the U.S.

Fostering mask-wearing with virality metrics and social media literacy: evidence from the U.S. and Korea.

Although social media can pose threats to the public health by spreading misinformation and causing confusion, they can also provide wider access to health information and opportunities for health surveillance. The current study investigates the ways in which preventive health behaviors and norms can be promoted on social media by analyzing data from surveys and experiments conducted in the U.S. and South Korea. Survey results suggest that the pathway from social media use for COVID-19 information to mask-wearing behavior through mask-wearing norms emerges only among individuals with strong perceived social media literacy in the U.S. Experimental findings show that wear-a-mask campaign posts on social media foster mask-wearing norms and behavioral intention when they come with large (vs. small) virality metrics (e.g., Likes, shares) in both the U.S. and South Korea. Additionally, American users are more willing to engage with posts that come with supportive (vs. mixed) comments by Liking, sharing and commenting. The results highlight the need to cultivate social media literacy and opportunities for exploiting social media virality metrics for promoting public health norms and behaviors.

COVID-19 News Exposure and Vaccinations: A Moderated Mediation of Digital News Literacy Behavior and Vaccine Misperceptions.

Being exposed to and believing in misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines is a challenge for vaccine acceptance. Yet, how countervailing factors such as news literacy could complicate "the information exposure-belief in vaccine misinformation-vaccination" path needs to be unpacked to understand the communication of scientific information about COVID-19. This study examines (1) the mediating role of belief in vaccine misinformation between COVID-19 information exposure and vaccination behavior and (2) the moderating role of news literacy behaviors. We examine these relationships by collecting data in two distinct societies: the United States and South Korea. We conducted online surveys in June and September 2021 respectively for each country (N = 1336 [the U.S.]; N = 550 [South Korea]). Our results showed a significant moderated mediation model, in which the association between digital media reliance and COVID-19 vaccination was mediated through vaccine misperceptions, and the relationship between digital media reliance and misinformed belief was further moderated by news literacy behavior. Unexpectedly, we found that individuals with stronger news literacy behavior were more susceptible to misinformation belief. This study contributes to the extant literature on the communication of COVID-19 science through probing into the mediating role of belief in vaccine-related misinformation and the moderating role of news literacy behavior in relation to COVID-19 information exposure and vaccination behaviors. It also reflects the concept of news literacy behavior and discusses how it could be further refined to exert its positive impact in correcting misinformation beliefs.

Preparation of a Crosslinked Poly(imide-siloxane) for Application to Transistor Insulation.

Insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is an important power device for the conversion, control, and transmission of semiconductor power, and is used in various industrial fields. The IGBT module currently uses silicone gel as an insulating layer. Since higher power density and more severe temperature applications have become the trend according to the development of electronic device industry, insulating materials with improved heat resistance and insulation performances should be developed. In this study, we intended to synthesize a new insulating material with enhanced thermal stability and reduced thermal conductivity. Poly(imide-siloxane) (PIS) was prepared and crosslinked through a hydrosilylation reaction to obtain a semi-solid Crosslinked PIS. Thermal decomposition temperature, thermal conductivity, optical transparency, dielectric constant, and rheological property of the Crosslinked PIS were investigated and compared to those of a commercial silicone gel. The Crosslinked PIS showed high thermal stability and low thermal conductivity, along with other desirable properties, and so could be useful as an IGBT-insulating material.

Flexible and Transparent Electrode Based on Ag-Nanowire Embedded Colorless Poly(amide-imide).

Graphene oxide-cysteamine-silver nanoparticle (GCA)/silver nanowire (AgNW)/GCA/colorless poly(amide-imide) (cPAI) structures based on cPAI substrates with polyimide and polyamide syntheses were fabricated to study their characteristics. A layer of electrodes was constructed using a sandwich structure-such as GCA/AgNW/GCA-with cPAI used as a substrate to increase the heat resistance and improve their mechanical properties. Furthermore, to overcome the disadvantages of AgNWs-such as their high surface roughness and weak adhesion between the substrate and electrode layers-electrodes with embedded structures were fabricated using a peel-off process. Through bending, tapping, and durability tests, it was confirmed that these multilayer electrodes exhibited better mechanical durability than conventional AgNW electrodes. Resistive random-access memory based on GCA/AgNW/GCA/cPAI electrodes was fabricated, and its applicability to nonvolatile memory was confirmed. The memory device had an ON/OFF current ratio of ~104@0.5 V, exhibiting write-once-read-many time characteristics, maintaining these memory characteristics for up to 300 sweep cycles. These findings suggest that GCA/AgNW/GCA/cPAI electrodes could be used as flexible and transparent electrodes for next-generation flexible nonvolatile memories.

Transparent Self-Cleaning Coatings Based on Colorless Polyimide/Silica Sol Nanocomposite.

We herein report transparent self-cleaning coatings based on polyimide-fluorinated silica sol (PIFSS) nanocomposite. Polyamic acid-silica sol (PASS) suspensions were synthesized by adding four different amounts of a silica sol suspension to each end-capped polyamic acid solution. The PASS suspensions were spin-coated on glass slides, thermally imidized and treated with triethoxy-1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecylsilane (TEFDS) to prepare PIFSS coatings. The PIFSS coatings showed high resistance to separation from glass substrates and thermal stability. Furthermore, the PIFSS coatings on the glass substrate could be cleanly removed using polar aprotic solvents and repeated coating was possible. As the amount of silica sol particles in the PIFSS coating was increased, the hydrophobic contact angle increased. Among them, PIFSS-10 and PIFSS-15 coatings showed nearly superhydrophobic contact angles (144° and 148°, respectively) and good self-cleaning property. It was confirmed by SEM and AFM studies that their hydrophobic and self-cleaning properties are due to uniform particle distribution and relatively high surface roughness. PIFSS-10 coating showed a high transmittance value (88%) at 550 nm and good self-cleaning property, therefore suitable as a transparent self-cleaning coating. The advantages of the coating are that the fabrication process is simple, and the substrate is reusable. The PIFSS coating is expected to be applied in solar cell panels, windows, lenses and safety goggles.

Reliability and Quality of Korean YouTube Videos for Education Regarding Gout.

BACKGROUND: YouTube has become an increasingly popular educational tool and an important source of healthcare information. We investigated the reliability and quality of the information in Korean-language YouTube videos about gout. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive electronic search on April 2, 2021, using the following keywords-"gout," "acute gout," "gouty arthritis," "gout treatment," and "gout attack"-and identified 140 videos in the Korean language. Two rheumatologists then categorized the videos into three groups: "useful," "misleading," and "personal experience." Reliability was determined using a five-item questionnaire modified from the DISCERN validation tool, and overall quality scores were based on the Global Quality Scale (GQS). RESULTS: Among the 140 videos identified, 105 (75.0%), 29 (20.7%), and 6 (4.3%) were categorized as "useful," "misleading," and "personal experience," respectively. Most videos in the "useful" group were created by rheumatologists (70.5%). The mean DISCERN and GQS scores in the "useful" group (3.3 ± 1.0 and 3.8 ± 0.7) were higher than those in the "misleading" (0.9 ± 1.0 and 1.9 ± 0.6) and "personal experience" groups (0.8 ± 1.2 and 2.0 ± 0.8) (P < 0.001 for both the DISCERN and GQS tools). CONCLUSION: Approximately 75% of YouTube videos that contain educational material regarding gout were useful; however, we observed some inaccuracies in the medical information provided. Healthcare professionals should closely monitor media content and actively participate in the development of videos that provide accurate medical information.

Perceived social stigma, self-concealment, and suicide risk among North Korean refugee women exposed to traumatic events.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide among North Korean (NK) refugee women is one of the most concerning public health problems in South Korea. Pre-resettlement trauma exposure and post-resettlement factors can contribute to suicide risk among NK refugee women; however, few studies have explored these associations. METHODS: This study aimed to assess suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among NK refugee women in South Korea (N = 212) and to examine the impact of pre-resettlement trauma exposure on suicide risk. Perceived social stigma and self-concealment in the post-resettlement phases were investigated as moderating factors for suicide risk related to trauma exposure using multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Trauma exposure significantly increased suicidal ideation severity and the risk of suicide attempt. Furthermore, perceived social stigma significantly moderated this relationship such that the impact of trauma exposure in the pre-resettlement phases was amplified as perceived social stigma increased. CONCLUSION: Based on our study findings, professionals working with refugee populations should assess for perceived social stigma and exposure to traumatic events to reduce and prevent suicidal ideation and attempts.

Clinical and Genetic Risk Factors Associated With the Presence of Lupus Nephritis.

Objective: To elucidate whether clinical features and the weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) were associated with the presence of lupus nephritis (LN). Methods: We retrospectively divided patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n=1,078) into biopsy-proven LN (n=507) and non-LN groups (non-LN, n=571) Baseline clinical features, serologic markers, and the wGRS were collected The wGRS was calculated from 112 non-human leukocyte antigen (non-HLA) loci and HLA-DRß1 amino acid haplotypes for SLE Associations among clinical features, wGRS, and the presence of LN were identified. Results: In the multivariate analysis, patients with LN were younger at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]=0.97, p<0.001), had more pleuritis (OR=2.44, p<0.001) and pericarditis (OR=1.62, p=0.029), had a higher detection rate of anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA antibodies, OR=2.22, p<0.001), anti-Smith antibodies (anti-Sm antibodies, OR=1.70, p=0.002), low level of complement (OR=1.37, p=0.043) and absence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL antibodies, OR=1.60, p=0.002), and had higher wGRS (OR=1.16, p=0.012) Mediation analysis suggested that anti-Sm antibodies and low complement could be mediators in the relationship between high wGRS and the presence of LN. Conclusion: Onset age, pleuritis, pericarditis, several serologic markers, and wGRS were associated with the presence of LN Anti-Sm antibodies and low complement appeared to mediate the indirect relationship between wGRS and the presence of LN.

The usefulness of trabecular bone score in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: This study was performed to reveal the usefulness of the trabecular bone score (TBS) in assessing bone strength in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in comparison with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) methods. METHODS: A total of 215 AS patients (75.8% male) were enrolled from a single university hospital in Korea. Demographic and clinical information were assessed. Patients completed X-rays of the cervical and lumbar spine (L-spine), and spinal ankyloses were quantified using the modified Stoke AS Spine Score (mSASSS). Hip, anteroposterior and lateral L-spine bone mineral density (BMD) and TBS were assessed by DXA methods. Clinical characteristics and bone strength measurement results were compared between male and female AS patients. The accuracy of each bone strength evaluation method in predicting Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) scores indicating moderate or higher fracture risk was compared by receiver operating characteristic curves in patients aged ≥ 40 years. Correlations between each bone strength measurement method and mSASSS were examined. RESULTS: Male patients showed higher mSASSS and less prevalent peripheral joint involvement compared to female patients (p < 0.05). TBS, hip BMD, and L-spine lateral BMD showed comparably high areas under the curve (AUCs) for predicting FRAX-major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) ≥ 10% (AUC ranged 0.72 to 0.76). TBS negatively correlated with mSASSS in both male and female patients (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TBS could predict the risk of MOF and is not influenced by spinal osteoproliferation in AS patients, even in those with advanced spinal changes.

Flexible Transparent Electrode Characteristics of Graphene Oxide/Cysteamine/AgNP/AgNW Structure.

Graphene oxide (GO)-cysteamine-Ag nanoparticles (GCA)-silver nanowire (AgNW) fabricated by depositing GCA over sprayed AgNWs on PET films were proposed for transparent and flexible electrodes, and their optical, electrical, and mechanical properties were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, current-voltage measurements, and bending test. GCA-AgNW electrodes show optical transmittance of >80% at 550 nm and exhibit a high figure-of-merit value of up to 116.13 in the samples with sheet resistances of 20-40 Ω/◻. It was observed that the detrimental oxidation of bare AgNWs over time was considerably decreased, and the mechanical robustness was improved. To apply the layer as an actual electrode in working devices, a Pt/GO/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate/GCA-AgNW/polyethylene terephthalate structure was fabricated, and resistive switching memory was demonstrated. On the basis of these results, we confirm that the proposed GCA-AgNW layer can be used as transparent and flexible electrode.

Evaluation of macrophage activation syndrome in hospitalised patients with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease based on the 2016 EULAR/ACR/PRINTO classification criteria.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the impact of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) on clinical features in patients with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) and to compare the features of MAS in KFD with those of adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: The medical records of febrile patients hospitalised with KFD between November 2005 and April 2017 were reviewed. Patients fulfilling the 2016 classification criteria for MAS were classified as having MAS. Clinical and laboratory features of patients with KFD with and without MAS were evaluated. Poor hospitalisation outcomes were defined as intensive care unit admission or in-hospital mortality. The treatment outcomes of MAS in KFD, AOSD, and SLE were also compared. RESULTS: Among 78 patients hospitalised with KFD, 24 (30.8%) patients had MAS during admission. Patients with KFD and MAS more frequently required glucocorticoid treatment (66.7% vs 40.7%, p = 0.036) and had longer hospital stays than patients with KFD without MAS (12.5 vs 8.5 days, p<0.001). In addition, patients with MAS had worse hospitalisation outcomes than patients without MAS (29.2% vs. 0.0%, p<0.001). Among patients with MAS in KFD, AOSD, and SLE, the number of patients requiring glucocorticoid treatment after 3 months was significantly lower among patients with MAS and KFD (KFD 33.3%, AOSD 88.9%, SLE 100%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of MAS in KFD was associated with adverse clinical outcomes including higher steroid usage and worse hospitalisation outcomes. However, compared to those with AOSD and SLE, patients with MAS and KFD were less likely to require long-term glucocorticoid treatment.

A cost per responder analysis of secukinumab vs adalimumab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis from the Korean perspective.

AIM: To compare the cost-effectiveness of secukinumab vs adalimumab at 1 and 2 years of treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by analyzing the cost per responder reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the Korean perspective. METHOD: A systematic literature search was performed via PubMed for relevant RCTs for comparing the response rate in patients with AS. The response rates in anti-tumor necrosis factor-naive subjects were extracted from RCTs and cost per responder analyses were calculated in case of both with or without a loading dosage of secukinumab compared with adalimumab. RESULTS: The Assessment in AS International Working Group (ASAS) 20 and 40 response rates of secukinumab from the MEASURE 2 trial and those of adalimumab from the ATLAS trial were comparable. The cost per ASAS 20 responder was lower by 40% in secukinumab compared to adalimumab: USD9637 vs 16 129 at 52 weeks and USD20 051 vs 32 699 at 104 weeks for secukinumab (in maintenance dosing) vs adalimumab, respectively. The cost per ASAS 40 responder was also lower by 40% in secukinumab: USD12 179 vs 22 395 at 52 weeks and USD27 338 vs 41 655 at 104 weeks for secukinumab vs adalimumab, respectively. With a loading dosage of secukinumab at 52 and 104 weeks, secukinumab showed lower costs per responder by 25% compared to adalimumab. CONCLUSION: The costs per responder associated with ASAS 20 and 40 response rates were consistently lower for secukinumab compared with adalimumab. The treatment with secukinumab for patients with AS could be a cost-saving treatment option in South Korea.

Clinical outcomes of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis with normal acute phase reactant values.

AIM: Despite high clinical disease activity, some patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have normal acute phase reactant (APR) values. This study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of active RA patients with normal APR values. METHOD: Of 5376 patients with RA enrolled in the Korean observational study network for arthritis (KORONA) registry, 400 patients with disease duration of <2 years who had Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score of >2.8 at baseline, biologic-naïve, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) drawn at both baseline and 2-year follow-up visits were identified. Patients were grouped according to baseline APR levels: normal APRs, one APR elevated, and both APRs elevated. RESULTS: Baseline tender and swollen joint counts, mean CDAI and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) scores were significantly lower in the normal APRs group compared with APR-elevated groups (P < 0.0001). At 2-year follow-up, mean CDAI scores, HAQ-DI, and percentage of the patient achieving remission were not significantly different between the normal APRs group compared with the APR-elevated groups regardless of the baseline disease activity. However, in patients with baseline CDAI moderate to high disease activity, the normal APRs group less frequently required initiation of the biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs compared with the APR-elevated groups (P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Active RA patients with normal APR values have milder disease presentation, but similar clinical outcomes to those with elevated APRs.

Factors associated with time to diagnosis from symptom onset in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To identify the factors associated with time to diagnosis after symptom onset in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Early RA patients with ≤ 1 year of disease duration in the KORean Observational study Network for Arthritis (KORONA) database were included in this analysis. Patients were further divided into two groups according to the time to diagnosis from symptom onset: the early diagnosis group (time to diagnosis ≤ 1 year) and the late diagnosis group (time to diagnosis > 1 year). Using the multivariable regression model, we identified factors associated with early diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 714 early RA patients, 401 patients (56.2%) and 313 patients (43.8%) were included in the early diagnosis and late diagnosis groups, respectively. The mean disease duration was 0.47 years in the early diagnosis group and 0.45 years in the late diagnosis group. In multivariable model analysis, greater age at onset (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.05), high school education or higher (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.47), higher income (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.08), and initial small joint involvement (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.98) were factors associated with early diagnosis. At diagnosis, disease activity scores using 28 joints on diagnosis (3.81 ± 1.44 vs. 3.82 ± 1.42, p = 0.92) and functional disability (0.65 ± 0.61 vs. 0.57 ± 0.62, p = 0.07) did not different between the two groups. However, hand joint erosion on X-ray (37.8% vs. 25.6%, p < 0.01) was more common in the late diagnosis group than the early diagnosis group. CONCLUSION: Older onset age, higher educational level and income, and initial small joint involvement were positive factors for early diagnosis of RA.

Korean Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: To develop guidelines and recommendations to prevent and treat glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in Korea. METHODS: The Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research and the Korean College of Rheumatology have developed this guideline based on Guidance for the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines ver. 1.0 established by the National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency. This guideline was developed by adapting previously published guidelines, and a systematic review and quality assessment were performed. RESULTS: This guideline applies to adults aged ≥19 years who are using or plan to use GCs. It does not include children and adolescents. An initial assessment of fracture risk should be performed within 6 months of initial GC use. Fracture risk should be estimated using the fracture-risk assessment tool (FRAX) after adjustments for GC dose, history of osteoporotic fractures, and bone mineral density (BMD) results. All patients administered with prednisolone or an equivalent medication at a dose ≥2.5 mg/day for ≥3 months are recommended to use adequate calcium and vitamin D during treatment. Patients showing a moderate-to-high fracture risk should be treated with additional medication for osteoporosis. All patients continuing GC therapy should undergo annual BMD testing, vertebral X-ray, and fracture risk assessment using FRAX. When treatment failure is suspected, switching to another drug should be considered. CONCLUSIONS: This guideline is intended to guide clinicians in the prevention and treatment of GIOP.

Korean Red Ginseng exhibits no significant adverse effect on disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Panax ginseng is a well-known immune modulator, and there is concern that its immune-enhancing effects may negatively affect patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by worsening symptoms or increasing the risk of adverse effects from other drugs. In this randomized, crossover clinical trial, we evaluated the impact of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on disease activity and safety in RA patients. METHODS: A total of 80 female RA patients were randomly assigned to either the KRG (2 g/d, n = 40) treatment or placebo (n = 40) groups for 8 wk, followed by crossover to the other treatment group for an additional 8 wk. The primary outcome was the disease flare rate, defined as worsening disease activity according to the disease activity score 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). The secondary outcomes were development of adverse events (AEs) and patient reported outcomes. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and 8 wk and 16 wk. The outcomes were compared using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients, 70 completed the full study. Their mean age was 51.9 yr, and most exhibited low disease activity (mean DAS28-ESR 3.5 ± 1.0) at enrollment. After intervention, the flare rate was 3.7% in each group. During KRG treatment, 10 AEs were reported, while five AEs were developed with placebo; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.16). Gastrointestinal- and nervous system-related symptoms were frequent in the KRG group. CONCLUSION: KRG is not significantly associated with either disease flare rate or the rate of AE development in RA patients.

Glucocorticoids Are Associated with an Increased Risk for Vertebral Fracture in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effects of glucocorticoids (GC) on various types of fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We used the Korean National Healthcare Claims database from 2010 to establish a retrospective cohort of patients with RA ≥ 19 years old. We then followed those patients through December 2013. The incidence rates of total and major fractures were calculated. We evaluated the effects of GC dose and duration on fractures using multivariable logistic regression analyses. We also examined the influence of GC on fractures in RA patients without a history of osteoporosis. RESULTS: A total of 11,599 fractures was observed in 9964 out of 138,240 patients with RA. During followup, 68.2% of patients used oral GC for > 3 months. Adjusted analysis showed the risk of vertebral fractures was increased by the following characteristics: duration of GC ≥ 6 months (OR 1.76, p < 0.01); mean dose of GC ≥ 2.5 mg (OR range = 1.37-1.71, p < 0.01); and highest daily dose of GC ≥ 10 mg (OR range = 1.23-1.75, p < 0.03). However, neither the duration nor the dose of oral GC increased the risk of hip and nonvertebral/nonhip fractures in patients with RA. Consistent results were observed in RA patients without osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: Longer duration and higher dose of oral GC in patients with RA increased the risk of vertebral fractures. However, the dose and duration of GC did not influence the risk of hip and nonvertebral/nonhip fractures.

Comparative effectiveness of oral pharmacologic interventions for knee osteoarthritis: A network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relative efficacy of oral pharmacologic interventions in the treatment of knee OA. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases to identify trials conducted in patients with knee OA with a minimum 6 weeks of follow-up. The standardized mean differences of the change from baseline to week 6 in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain between the treatment groups were estimated using Bayesian random-effects network meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses of baseline pain status (high, pain score ≥60 mm; low, pain score <60 mm) were performed. RESULTS: Of 4067 manuscripts, 44 were included in the evidence synthesis. Etoricoxib had the highest ranking for improving WOMAC pain (probability of being top ranked, p (best) = .43) followed by naproxen (p (best) = .12), acetaminophen (AAP) (p (best) = .04), and celecoxib (p (best) = .02). The top three ranked interventions were etoricoxib, celecoxib and aceclofenac in the higher pain group, and tramadol, celecoxib, and diclofenac in the lower pain group. CONCLUSION: In the overall analysis, etoricoxib, celecoxib, and aceclofenac had the highest rankings for improving WOMAC pain. The ability to improve knee OA symptoms may differ depending on baseline pain and radiologic features.