The role of metabolic syndrome in the development of osteoarthritis

Introduction. Knee osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disease of the entire joint that leads to functional limitations and reduced quality of life. The end-stage of the disease is associated with disability and a significant burden both for the patient and the society. Osteoarthritis and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a group of cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes and hyperglycemia, abdominal obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. The adverse effects of the metabolic syndrome are associated with worsening of the clinical manifestations and disease prognosis through the combined effects of metabolic disorders. It has also been suggested that individual components of the metabolic syndrome may be an independent risk factor for knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and diabetes mellitus. Experimental and epidemiological evidence supports the role of type II diabetes mellitus in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Chronic hyperglycemia leads to oxidative stress and excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, while insulin resistance can act locally and systemically through chronic low-grade inflammation. Osteoarthritis and hypertension. The mechanism that explains the relationship between osteoarthritis and hypertension is unclear. Several potential pathways for subchondral bone damage due to hypertension have been described. Osteoarthritis and dyslipidemia. Experimental studies suggest that dyslipidemia may be involved in the pathophysiological process of osteoarthritis, while epidemiological studies show heterogeneous results. Conclusion. Patients with knee osteoarthritis require a holistic approach in which the emphasis is not only on symptomatic pain relief, but also on the treatment of metabolic disorders.