title: Erosive osteoarthritis: presentation, clinical pearls, and therapy.
abstract: Erosive osteoarthritis (OA) is a subcategory of OA in which destructive changes occur in the joints, probably as a result of a combination of inflammatory inciters and phenomena. The major changes occur in the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints, root joints of the thumb, and less commonly other hand and centripetal joints. A familial tendency suggests hereditary predisposition, and women more likely to be afflicted than men. Diagnosis has been enhanced by newer imaging techniques such as sonography and scintigraphy. Treatment remains chiefly palliative, although there are hints that alleviation of inflammation may be more salutary than simple analgesia.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; One Independence Place #1101, 241 South Sixth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3731, USA. g2e@mindspring.com
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal