Study finds genetic links to disease

Tuesday 3 July 2012

EIGHT new genetic links to osteoarthritis have been uncovered that could help scientists develop better treatments for the disease.

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Previously, only three genetic variants associated with osteoarthritis were known. Yet inherited factors are believed to contribute to 60% of differences in the risk of suffering the disease.

Osteoarthritis, progressive damage to the joints caused by general wear and tear or injury, affects around 40% of people over the age of 70.

The researchers began by looking at the genetic codes of more than 7400 patients with severe hip and knee osteoarthritis. Their DNA was compared with that of more than 11,000 healthy individuals.Once the most promising genetic sites were identified, the study was repeated by comparing the genomes of another 7500 people with a much bigger healthy population of 43,000.The results confirmed the three previously reported variants and found a further eight linked to osteoarthritis. Five of the new variants were significantly associated with the disease.Study leader Professor John Loughlin, from the University of Newcastle, said: "Our findings provide some insight into the genetics of arthritis and identify new pathways that might be amenable to future therapeutic intervention."

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Study finds genetic links to disease

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