Abstracts » Health

Primary osteoarthritis of the elbow

Article Abstract:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease involving the joints, and is characterized by destruction of cartilage tissue, malformation, and impaired joint function. The disease rarely involves the elbow, and OA of the elbow occurs mainly in: nodal generalized OA, which is characterized by the formation of nodes; pyrophosphate arthropathy, or joint disease accompanied by crystal formation in the joint; or as a result of job-related factors or injuries. Clinical features, X-ray changes, outcome, predisposing factors and other affected body sites were studied in 16 patients with OA of the elbow, which was not nodal- or crystal-related OA. None of the patients had been exposed to trauma. Fourteen of the patients were male and 2 were female. OA affected both elbows in 10 patients, the dominant elbow in 4, and the nondominant only in 2 patients. At the onset of OA patients were an average of 53 years; at the time of the study they had experienced symptoms for an average of seven years. Joint inflammation was detected in all affected elbow joints. Thirteen patients had OA at other sites, including the hands, knees, and hips. Twenty-two of 26 elbows had good clinical outcomes. The results indicate that OA of the elbow commonly affects middle-aged men, is associated with OA of the hand joints and has a good clinical outcome, but is not usually related to trauma. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Abnormalities, Diagnosis, Elbow, Joint diseases

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Evidence for genetic anticipation in nodal osteoarthritis

Article Abstract:

Nodal arthritis appears to occur earlier, and with greater severity, in subsequent generations, demonstrating genetic anticipation. Nodal arthritis is a type of osteoarthritic joint inflammation affecting the hands. Researchers compared 30 parent-child pairs with nodal arthritis. The average age of disease onset in parents was 61 years, compared to 43 years in the offspring. Fifty percent of offspring had similar or more severe symptoms than the parents.

Health aspects, Genetic aspects, Genetic regulation

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