[Pathogenesis and risk factors of osteoarthritis]

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, which is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. It is complex disease whose etiology bridges biomechanics and biochemistry. It is unclear whether osteoarthritis is a single disease or many disorders with a similar final common pathway. We need to clarify the genetics of osteoarthritis and identify risk factors for progression. Until now, there is some evidence growing for the role of systemic factors and of local factors. Systemic factors are thought such as genetics, hormone, and bone density, and local factors are thought such as obesity, injury, sports, occupation, and muscle weakness. However, the impacts of such risk factors in different joints vary. Effective outcome measures are needed to accelerate testing of new treatments.