Assistant Professor of Epidemiology
Specialty Areas: osteoarthritis, physical therapy
Chronology: BS Physical Therapy: The Ohio State University, 1998; MS Human Movement Science: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2005; PhD Epidemiology: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2010. Physical Therapist, Jefferson Hospital Pittsburgh, PA, 199-2001; Physical Therapist, Avante Physical Therapy, Inc., Cary, NC, 2001-2002; Physical Therapist, Rex Healthcare, Raleigh, NC, 2003-2004; Project Coordinator/Research Assistant, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham, NC, 2003-2010; Physical Therapist, Physical Recovery, Durham, NC, 2004-2005; Physical Therapist, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, 2005-2009; Postdoctoral Fellow, Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2010-2012; Research Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2012-present; Interim Project Director, Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2014-2015; Grants Program Officer, Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2014- present.
Description of research and/or clinical interests: Dr. Golightly’s research focuses on the long-term effects of musculoskeletal injury and disorders of the lower extremity. These long-term consequences include osteoarthritis, pain, and disability. She is especially interested in identifying modifiable risk factors for osteoarthritis and developing non-pharmacologic/non-surgical treatments and prevention strategies.
Selected Bibliography:
Nelson AE, Golightly YM, Renner JB, Schwartz TA, Liu F, Lynch JA, Gregory JS, Aspden RM, Lane NE, Jordan JM. Variations in hip shape are associated with radiographic knee osteoarthritis: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Journal of Rheumatology, in press.
Golightly YM, Allen KD, Jordan JM. Defining the burden of osteoarthritis in population-based surveys. Arthritis Care and Research, in press.
Williams QI, Gunn AH, Beaulieu JE, Benas BC, Buley B, Callahan LF, Cantrell J, Genova AP, Golightly YM, Goode AP, Gridley CI, Gross MT, Heiderscheit BC, Hill CH, Huffman KM, Kline A, Schwartz TA, Allen KD. Physical therapy vs. internet-based exercise training (PATH-IN) for patients with knee osteoarthritis: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2015 Sep 28;16(1):264.
Golightly YM, Dufour AB, Hannah MT, Hillstrom HJ, Katz PP, Jordan JM. Leg muscle mass and foot symptoms, structure, and function: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Journal of Gerontology, in press.
Pietrosimone BG, Blackburn T, Golightly YM, Harkey M, Luc B, DeFreese JD, Padua D, Jordan JM, Bennell K. Knowledge and perceptions of posttraumatic osteoarthritis following knee injury by certified athletic trainers. Journal of Athletic Training, in press.
Hsu Y-H, Liu Y, Hannan MT, Maixner W, Smith SB, Diatchenko L, Golightly YM, Menz HB, Kraus VB, Doherty M, Wilson AG, Jordan JM. Genome-wide association meta-analyses to identify common genetic variants associated with hallux valgus in Caucasians and African Americans. Journal of Medical Genetics, 2015 Nov;52(11):762-9.
Golightly YM, Allen KD, Nyrop KA, Nelson AE, Callahan LF, Jordan JM. Patient-reported outcomes to initiate a provider-patient dialog for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2015 Oct;45(2):123-31.
Ambrose KR, Golightly YM. Physical exercise as non-pharmacological treatment of chronic pain: Why and when. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 2015 Feb;29(1):120-30.
Allen KD, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA, Foster NE, Golightly YM, Hawker G. Principles for Implementation Trials of Osteoarthritis Interventions. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2015 May;23(5):826-38.
Messier SP, Callahan LF, Golightly YM, Keefe FJ. Design and conduct of clinical trials using lifestyle diet and exercise interventions in patients with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2015 May;23(5):787-97.
Roos KG*, Marshall SW, Golightly YM, Kucera KL, Myers JB, Rosamond WD, Comstock RD. Epidemiology of overuse injuries in collegiate and high school athletics in the United States. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2015 Jul;43(7):1790-7.
Pietrosimone BG, Golightly YM, Mihalik JP, Guskiewicz KM. Concussion frequency is associated with lower extremity musculoskeletal injury in retired National Football League players. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise, 2015 Nov;47(11):2366-72.
Allen KD, Golightly YM. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis: state of the evidence. Current Opinion in Rheumatology, 2015 May;27(3):276-83.
Golightly YM, Hannan MT, Dufour AB, Renner JB, Jordan JM. Factors associated with hallux valgus in a community-based study of adults with and without osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care and Research, 2015 May;67(5):633-9.
Doré AL, Golightly YM, Mercer VS, Shi XA, Renner JB, Jordan JM, Nelson AE. Lower limb osteoarthritis and the risk of falls in a community-based longitudinal study of adults with and without osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care and Research, 2015 May;67(5):633-9.
Harkey M, Luc B, Golightly YM, Thomas A, Driban J, Hackney A, Pietrosimone B. Osteoarthritis-related biomarkers following anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction: a systematic review. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2015 Jan;23(1):1-12.
Golightly YM, Hannan MT, Dufour AB, Hillstrom HJ, Jordan JM. Foot disorders associated with over-pronated and over-supinated foot function: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Foot and Ankle International, 2014 Nov;35(11):1159-65.
Dufour AB, Casey VA, Golightly YM, Hannan MT. Characteristics associated with hallux valgus in a population-based study of older adults: The Framingham Foot Study. Arthritis Care and Research, 2014 Dec;66(12):1880-6.
Golightly YM, Allen KD, Stechuchak KM, Coffman CJ, Keefe FJ. Associations of coping strategies with diary based pain variables among Caucasian and African American patients with osteoarthritis. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2015 Feb;22(1):101-8.
Allen KD, Golightly YM, Callahan LF, Helmick CG, Ibrahim SA, Kwoh CK, Renner JB, Jordan JM. Racial and gender differences in willingness to undergo total joint replacement: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Arthritis Care and Research, 2014 Aug;66(8):1193-202.
Golightly YM, DeVellis RF, Nelson AE, Hannan MT, Lohmander LS, Renner JB, Jordan JM. Psychometric properties of the foot and ankle outcome score in a community-based study of adults with and without osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care and Research, 2014 Mar;66(3):395-403.
Nelson AE, Smith MW, Golightly YM, Jordan JM. “Generalized Osteoarthritis”: A systematic review. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2014 Jun;43(6):713-20.
Nelson AE, Allen KD, Golightly YM, Goode AP, Jordan JM. A systematic review of recommendations and guidelines for the management of osteoarthritis. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2014 Jun;43(6):701-12.
Aslam I, Perjar I, Shi XA, Renner JB, Kraus VB, Golightly YM, Jordan JM, Nelson AE. Associations between biomarkers of joint metabolism, hand osteoarthritis, and hand pain and function: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Journal of Rheumatology, 2014 May;41(5):938-44.
Nelson AE, Elstad E, DeVellis RF, Schwartz TA, Golightly YM, Renner JB, Conaghan PG, Kraus VB, Jordan JM. Composite measures of multi-joint symptoms, but not of radiographic osteoarthritis, are associated with functional outcomes: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Disability and Rehabilitation 2014;36(4):300-6.
Nelson AE, Golightly YM, Renner JB, Schwartz TA, Kraus VB, Helmick CG, Jordan JM. Differences in multijoint symptomatic osteoarthritis phenotypes by race and sex: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Arthritis and Rheumatism 2013; 65(2):373-7.
Golightly YM, Allen KD, Caine DJ. A comprehensive review of the effectiveness of different exercise programs for patients with osteoarthritis. Physician and Sportsmedicine 2012 Nov; 40(4):52-65.
Golightly YM, Hannan MT, Dufour AB, Jordan JM. Racial differences in foot disorders and foot type: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Arthritis Care and Research 2012; 64(11):1756-9.
Purser JL*, Golightly YM* (*co-first authors), Feng Q, Helmick CG, Renner JB, Jordan JM. Slower walking speed is associated with incident knee osteoarthritis-related outcomes. Arthritis Care and Research 2012; 64(7):1028-35.
Allen KD, Chen JC, Callahan LF, Golightly YM, Helmick CG, Renner JB, Schwartz TA, Jordan JM. Racial Differences in Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: Potential Contribution of Occupational and Household Tasks. Journal of Rheumatology 2012; 39(2):337-44.
Golightly YM, Marshall SW, Kraus VB, Renner JB, Villaveces A, Casteel C, Jordan JM. Biomarkers of incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis: Do they vary by chronic knee symptoms? Arthritis and Rheumatism 2011 Aug; 63 (8):2276-83 (PMCID: PMC3149729).
Golightly YM, Hannan MT, Shi XA, Helmick CG, Renner JB, Jordan JM. Association of foot symptoms with self-reported and performance-based measures of physical function: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Arthritis Care and Research 2011; 63(5):654-9 (PMCID: PMC3092015).
Caine DJ, Golightly YM. Osteoarthritis as an outcome of paediatric sport: an epidemiological perspective. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2011; 45(4):298-303.
Golightly YM, Allen KD, Helmick CG, Schwartz TA, Renner JB, Jordan JM. Hazard of incident and progressive knee and hip radiographic osteoarthritis and chronic joint symptoms in individuals with limb length inequality. Journal of Rheumatology 2010; 37(10):2133-40.
Nelson AE, Golightly YM, Kraus VB, Stabler T, Renner JB, Helmick CG, Jordan JM. Serum transforming growth factor-beta 1 is not a robust biomarker of incident and progressive radiographic osteoarthritis at the hip and knee: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2010; 18(6):825-9 (PMCID: PMC2873050).
Allen KD, Chen JC, Callahan LF, Golightly YM, Helmick CG, Renner JB, Jordan JM. Associations of occupational tasks with knee and hip osteoarthritis: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Journal of Rheumatology 2010; 37(4):842-50.
Allen KD, Coffman CJ, Golightly YM, Stechuchak KM, Voils CI, Keefe FJ. Comparison of pain measures among patients with osteoarthritis. Journal of Pain 2010; 11(6):522-7.
Golightly YM, Marshall SW, Callahan LF, Guskiewicz K. Early-onset arthritis in retired National Football League players Journal of Physical Activity and Health 2009; 6 (5), 638–643.
Allen KD, Coffman CJ, Golightly YM, Stechuchak KM, Keefe FJ. Daily pain variations among patients with hand, hip, and knee osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2009; 17(10):1275-82.
Golightly YM, Allen KD, Helmick CG, Renner JB, Jordan JM. Symptoms of the knee and hip in individuals with and without limb length inequality Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2009; 17(5):596-600.
Cudkowicz ME, Andres PL, Macdonald SA, Bedlack RS, Choudry R, Brown RH Jr, Zhang H, Schoenfeld DA, Shefner J, Matson S, Matson WR, Ferrante RJ, Kruczek K, Sherman A, Yu H, Opoliner A, Maragakis N, Clawson L, Kimball R, Smith K, Hetherington W, Loya P, Golightly Y, Mosier D, Ali N, Allred M, Kasarskis E, Taylor D, English R, Vriesendorp F, Schad L, Zivkovic S, Van Cott A, Brice V, Sams L, Story M, Taft J. Phase 2 study of sodium phenylbutyrate in ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 2009; 10(2):99-106.
Landry MD, Raman SR, Sulway C, Golightly YM, Hamdan E. Prevalence and risk factors associated with low back pain among health care providers in a Kuwait hospital. Spine 2008; 33(5): 539-45.
Golightly YM, Tate JJ, Burns CB, Gross MT. Changes in pain and disability secondary to shoe lift intervention in subjects with limb length inequality and chronic low back pain: a preliminary report. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 2007; 37(7): 380-8.
Golightly YM, Allen KD, Renner JB, Helmick CG, Salazar A, Jordan JM. Relationship of limb length inequality with radiographic knee and hip osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2007; 15(7): 824-9 (PMCID: PMC2836720).
Allen KL, Golightly YM, Olsen MK. Pilot study of pain and coping among patients with osteoarthritis: a daily analysis. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology 2006; 12(3): 118-23.
Dominick KL, Golightly YM, Jackson GL. Arthritis prevalence and symptoms among U.S. non-veterans, veterans, and veterans receiving Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care. Journal of Rheumatology 2006; 33: 348-54.
Golightly YM, Dominick KL. Racial variations in self-reported osteoarthritis symptom severity among veterans. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 2005; 17(4): 264-9.
Dominick KL, Golightly YM, Bosworth HB. Racial differences in analgesic/anti-inflammatory medication adherence among patients with osteoarthritis. Ethnicity and Disease 2005; 15(1):116-22.
