This disease has a wide incidence worldwide: 630 million people suffer from osteoarthritis, which represents a rate of 10-12% of the world population.
How you develop osteoarthritis ?
Arthritis is triggered when certain proteins change, while others are increasing their number or size. Is actually an attempt to repair the body’s cartilage, but the outcome of this balance between actions of destruction and regeneration.
This process is accompanied by a mass production of enzymes that are typically located in cartilage cells. Action of these enzymes cause local inflammation, which increases tissue damage. Soon, there are small erosions on the cartilage surface, thus, neighboring bone will be damaged, presenting fissures and cysts.
Evolution of the disease varies from patient to patient. This condition can develop up to total destruction of the joint, or can stop at a time. Some patients with deformed fingers feel no pain, while others may feel some pain.
What triggers arthritis?
The risk factors are gender, trauma and stress to which it is subject the joint, obesity or genetic factors. In terms of gender women are more prone to having this disorder than men. Arthrosis ranks among the four diseases that cause inability to work. Other lifestyle, psychographics are also some risks, inflammatory joint diseases and deficiencies, especially of vitamin C and D.
Arthrosis of the fingers is most common in women, demonstrating a high incidence of genetics. Arthritis affecting the knees is more common in obese people. This disease is favored by metabolic disorders such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes.
Head Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology of the Hospital St. Mary’s says that many young people have the disease established in the joints, but the effects are not seen until later. Studies show that 35% of people have arthritis even before 30 years, but it is an asymptomatic type.