Osteoarthritis

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 393; no. 10182; pp. 1745 - 1759
• Main Authors: Hunter, David J, Bierma-Zeinstra, Sita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 27.04.2019; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adults; Aging; Arthritis; Biocompatibility; Clinical decision making; Core loss; Decision making; Diagnosis; Knee; Management; Medical diagnosis; Middle age; Older people; Osteoarthritis; Pain; Pathogenesis; Public health; Surgery; Weight control; Weight loss; Asia; United States > US; North America; Europe; Oceania
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30417-9

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability and source of societal cost in older adults. With an ageing and increasingly obese population, this syndrome is becoming even more prevalent than in previous decades. In recent years, we have gained important insights into the cause and pathogenesis of pain in osteoarthritis. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is clinically based despite the widespread overuse of imaging methods. Management should be tailored to the presenting individual and focus on core treatments, including self-management and education, exercise, and weight loss as relevant. Surgery should be reserved for those that have not responded appropriately to less invasive methods. Prevention and disease modification are areas being targeted by various research endeavours, which have indicated great potential thus far. This narrative Seminar provides an update on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and future research on osteoarthritis for a clinical audience.