OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) management is a challenge, as OA consists of a spectrum of pathologies requiring a multifaceted treatment approach. Patient education programmes (PEP) are attractive, as they may be cost effective and potentially efficacious. The goals of the study were to determine what may hinder the efficacy of a PEP for knee OA by determining the relevance of depression, pain, disease knowledge and physical ability in patients to their response to a PEP. METHODS: Clinical and demographic data relating to 170 patients who completed a trial of a PEP were analysed to determine how they interrelate during patient management. RESULTS: All patients showed a progressive decrease in mental health over the duration of the study (P