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Major Review Reveals That Osteoarthritis Is A Complex Disease With New Solutions

Date:
January 8, 2001
Source:
National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases
Summary:
A multidisciplinary group of scientists has declared that osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is "surprisingly complex," but has outlined a number of new approaches to its understanding, prevention and treatment.
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A multidisciplinary group of scientists has declared that osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is "surprisingly complex," but has outlined a number of new approaches to its understanding, prevention and treatment. Their report, a review by 28 researchers at 17 academic and government institutions, cites over 250 published articles and is presented in two parts in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The effort was led by David T. Felson, M.D., M.P.H., of Boston University, and Reva C. Lawrence, M.P.H., of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The disease, says the review, can result from an inherited predisposition to OA combined with a joint injury. Regular runners have almost no additional risk of OA, but football and soccer players and baseball pitchers are at increased risk. A healthy lifestyle helps — exercise can lessen disability if OA has developed. Strengthening the thigh muscles reduces risk of OA of the knee, as can losing weight. For people who have the disease, a combination of treatment approaches, including new medications and patient education, is effective.

"I am delighted that we have been able to publish this comprehensive, two-part review arising from our 1999 conference 'Stepping Away from OA,' " says Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NIAMS. "OA is a major public health problem, affecting some 20 million people in this country."

The review points out that in the United States about 6 percent of adults over 30 have OA of the knee and about 3 percent have OA of the hip. The disease is responsible for more trouble walking and stair climbing than any other disease, and it is the most common indication for total joint replacement of the hip and knee. Before age 50 the prevalence of OA in most joints is higher in men than women. After this age, more women are affected by OA of the hand, foot and knee. The occurrence of the disease increases with age, rising 2- to 10-fold in people from 30 to 65 years of age.

In osteoarthritis, there is focused, progressive loss of cartilage, the slippery material that cushions the ends of bones, along with changes in the bone below the cartilage leading to bony overgrowth. The tissue lining of the joint can become inflamed, the ligaments looser, and associated muscles weak, with resulting pain when the joint is used.

The review covers risk factors, such as being overweight and joint injury from specific sports, and treatments ranging from established and new medications, exercise, and patient education to surgery when other treatments do not work. It also discusses new areas of research, such as easily measured disease indicators known as biomarkers, as well as engineering of new cartilage. Specific findings are given on the attached backgrounder.

"This review shows that arthritis research is a vibrant area, yielding new means of preventing the disease and slowing its progression, as well as new and effective combinations of drug and behavioral treatments," says Dr. Katz, NIAMS director. "People with osteoarthritis and those at risk for the disease should be encouraged that there is much that they and their doctors can do about it."


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Materials provided by National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases. "Major Review Reveals That Osteoarthritis Is A Complex Disease With New Solutions." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 8 January 2001. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/01/010108072611.htm>.
National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases. (2001, January 8). Major Review Reveals That Osteoarthritis Is A Complex Disease With New Solutions. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/01/010108072611.htm
National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases. "Major Review Reveals That Osteoarthritis Is A Complex Disease With New Solutions." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/01/010108072611.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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