Suspense Crime, Digital Desk : Osteoarthritis-long seen as a disease of 'wear and tear', characteristic of old age-is increasingly developing in young adults aged as young as 30. The major causes contributing to this trend are the sedentary routine, poor lifestyle, obesity and the "weekend warriors fitness culture"-i.e. Lack of activity for the whole week and sudden strenuous workout over the weekend. These facts are highlighted in a review in the International Journal of Orthopaedics. The study redefined the disease as a "diverse syndrome, rather than a disease," the root of which lies in biological, biomechanical, metabolic, genetic and molecular causes.Various causes for the disease.In a review on May 15 it stated that the cause of OA should be referred to as a syndrome which consists of several biological, biomechanical, metabolic, genetic and molecular causes. With this observation it is clearly evident that the traditional "one size fits all" therapy does not work for all, as it doesn't identify individual causes for the disease.Over 500 million people globally suffer from OA, the number of people affected is 7.6 percent of total population. An increase of 132 percent in OA over the last 30 years is evident as per the Global Burden of Disease estimates. Another 60 percent is estimated for the year 2050.Group of conditions.The author of the review quoted: "People suffering from osteoarthritis usually suffer from obesity and poor lifestyle and research proves beyond doubt that osteoarthritis isn't a disease but a group of conditions." Identifying individual phenotyping can lead to a better and more targeted treatment compared to a universal therapy. The review identifies 6 subtypes of the disease-pain sensitivity, metabolic and inflammatory forms are among the subtypes, and suggests MRI-based methods with biomarker tests.Examples of both the types of cases:33 year-old IT professional who presented with knee pain was discovered to have vitamin D deficiency, raised Body Mass Index, and early joint degradation. This patient was treated for a case of metabolic osteoarthritis by weight reduction, taking the vitamin D supplement, and embarking on exercise. A 60 year old woman had severe burning pain on her knee along with sleep disruption, but the usual treatment for the disorder did not benefit her. Upon further assessment, it was clear that the pain was a result of pain sensitivity and treatment with a neuromodulator to target nerves provided her with relief.
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