title: Primary osteoarthritis: epidemiology, clinical aspects, and general management.
abstract: The etiology of osteoarthritis, the most common articular disorder, is still unknown. Epidemiologic studies demonstrate a relationship to aging and to certain occupations; relationships to obesity as an etiologic factor remain controversial. An inverse relationship of osteoarthritis and bony density has been observed. Medical management is primarily symptomatic; surgery, particularly of the hip or knee, restores function and relieves pain at late stages of the disease. Investigational trials of specific therapeutic agents suggest possible forthcoming interventions to prevent, retard, or reverse the disease process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Moskowitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D044469:Racial Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States