[Obesity and arthritis]

An increasing prevalence and incidence of osteoarthritis especially in aging populations results in different socioeconomic problems. Recent studies have shown an association between osteoarthritis and overweight especially for knee and hip joints. The mechanisms responsible for the destruction of joints are still unknown, however. Obesity and overweight can lead to higher force transmission on joints at least in lower extremities, but mechanical factors hardly explain the association between overweight and hand osteoarthritis shown in different studies. There may be additional metabolic effects responsible for cartilage destruction, but distinct mechanisms have not been demonstrated up to now. They would, however, support preventive measures as well as therapeutic approaches.