Genetic epidemiology of osteoarthritis: recent developments and future directions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite the high prevalence of osteoarthritis and its enormous public health impact, the cause of the disease remains largely obscure. The identification of genes associated with osteoarthritis can help reveal underlying biological mechanisms that may lead to development of new therapeutic targets or biomarkers for early detection and risk stratification. The goal of this short review is to provide a brief overview of the current status of genetics of osteoarthritis with an emphasis on developments generated in the last year. RECENT
FINDINGS: This review focuses on the following areas: identification of new genes through genetic association studies, including genome-wide association studies; family-based studies and extreme osteoarthritis phenotypes; endophenotypes and pain; and overlap of osteoarthritis with other age-related disorders.
SUMMARY: Although recent genetic discoveries have produced innovative findings with respect to the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis, we have yet to realize new treatments to improve the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis.