Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Research Paper

Currently, osteoarthritis afflicts almost 1 out of 10 (9.6%) men and 2 out of 20 (18%) women aged 60 years and older (Woolf & Pfleger, 2003). As a result of increases in longevity, osteoarthritis is projected to become the fourth leading cause of disability by the year 2020 (Woolf & Pfleger, 2003). According to Brooks (2003), "Genetic factors determining the biochemical constituents of bone and cartilage may place individuals at an increased risk of osteoarthritis. Given the number of cell types in cartilage and bone, there is the potential for many genes to contribute to the predisposition to osteoarthritis" (p. 689). Genetic factors can also help protect people from being afflicted with osteoarthritis. For instance, Barazesh (2009) advises that, "Genes that make bones grow longer can form extra cartilage in joints, protecting them from the ravages of osteoarthritis" (p. 23).

By contrast, rheumatoid arthritis affects between 0.3-1.0% of the general population; however, the condition is more prevalent among women and in emerging nations (Woolf & Pfleger, 2003). In fact, about 2.5 times as many women are affected by rheumatoid arthritis as men (Reinseth & Kjeken, 2012). In addition, the possibility for extra-articular manifestations with rheumatoid arthritis is thought to take place in genetically susceptible individuals (Rheumatoid arthritis, 2013).

References

Barazesh, S. (2009, May 9). The genetic dimension of height and health. Science News, 175(10),

22-25.

Brooks, P. (2003, September). Inflammation as an important feature of osteoarthritis. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 81(9), 689-673.

Lee, D-H & Steffes, M. (2007, June). Positive associations of serum concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls or organochlorine pesticides with self-reported arthritis, especially rheumatoid type, in women. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(6), 883-

Reinseth, L. & Kjeken, I. (2012, July). Participation.....