Hip Osteoarthritis: Genetics, epidemiological risk factors and burden of the disease

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease, characterized by progressive damage of the articular cartilage, osteophyte formation and alterations in the subchondral bone. OA is associated with an extremely high burden in terms of health and economics on individuals, communities, and health systems; This burden is largely attributable to the effects of disability, comorbid disease, and the expense of OAtreatment [1,2]. According with worldwide estimates 9.6% of men and 18.0% of women aged over 60 years have symptomatic osteoarthritis [3]. Hip and knee are joints commonly affected by OA; in these joints, structural damage is accompanied by clinical symptoms as joint pain, stiffness, loss of function and different degrees of disability.