Osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease: An evolving relationship

Osteoarthritis (OA) is both a disease involving structural damage of joint tissues and an illness with pain being the predominant symptom. It affects at least 240 million adults worldwide. Evolving concepts on the role of inflammation in OA and its relationship to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are emerging and suggest that there is an increased risk of CVD in OA. CVD and OA share common risk factors related to aging and obesity. In general, despite some conflicting data, OA appears to be closely related to the development of CVD. “Inflammageing” is a risk factor for CVD and is associated with increased inflammation leading to chronic morbidity, disability, frailty, and premature death; it also has been linked with the development of OA and it is hypothesized that cartilage degradation and antigens derived from damaged joints may trigger further inflammation through the activation of inflammasomes. Geriatric syndromes related to frailty, and disability, and their association with inflammation and possible links to CVD development deserve further study.