Is osteoarthritis a metabolic disease?

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Metabolic Medicine
• Biomedical Science

Background:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) risk factors include aging, injury, and obesity.
• Obesity-related OA affects various joints, suggesting systemic factors like adipokines from adipose tissue.
• This points to a potential systemic metabolic component in OA pathogenesis.

Discussion:

• Metabolic osteoarthritis is a recognized phenotype, encompassing obesity-related OA and links to metabolic syndrome or metabolic abnormalities.
• OA is independently associated with metabolic syndrome components like hypertension and type 2 diabetes, irrespective of obesity.
• Lipid and glucose dysregulation negatively impact cartilage homeostasis, while chronic low-grade inflammation is a shared feature with metabolic disorders.

Key Insights:

• Osteoarthritis exhibits diverse phenotypes, including age-related, injury-related, and metabolic.
• Adipokines released by adipose tissue play a role in obesity-related OA, highlighting systemic metabolic links.
• Metabolic abnormalities, inflammation, and OA share common pathways, suggesting a complex interplay.

Outlook:

• Further research into the metabolic phenotype of OA could reveal novel therapeutic targets.
• Understanding the link between metabolic syndrome and OA may lead to integrated management strategies.
• Investigating the role of adipokines and inflammation in OA pathogenesis is crucial for future interventions.