Osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder characterized by cartilage loss. Its prevalence is high, and it is a major cause of disability. The cause of OA is not known; however, current evidence indicates that it is multifactorial. Major risk factors for osteoarthritis are age, female sex, obesity, geographic factors, occupational knee-bending, physical labour, genetic factors and race, joint trauma, vitamin D deficiency, and chondrocalcinosis. Osteoarthritis causes joint pain, stiffness, and limitation of joint function. Knee involvement is the commonest presentation of this disease all over the world. Given the absence of a curative treatment, it is important to treat osteoarthritis as effectively as possible using a multidisciplinary approach tailored to the patient's needs. This article reviews current thinking on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, lifestyle, genetic epidemiology, and management of osteoarthritis in developing countries.
Das
Siddharth Kumar
SK
Department of Rheumatology, C.S.M. Medical University, RALC Campus, Lucknow, India. daslko@gmail.com
Farooqi
Abid
A
D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors