Study pinpoints genetic sign of osteoarthritis

A marker of cellular aging may be a strong predictor of a person's chances of developing osteoarthritis, according to a new study published in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy. The findings could help identify patients who are likely to require a prescription to buy Celebrex.

For the study, a team of Danish researchers looked at the DNA of cells taken from the knees of individuals who had recently undergone joint replacement surgery. When a cell divides, it must replicate its DNA, but it doesn't always duplicate the entire strand. Over time, this can have the effect of shortening chromosomes.

The results showed that individuals who required knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis had much shorter chromosome ends, known as telomeres. The researchers said that shortened telomeres may mitigate the ability of cells to replicate and repair damaged cartilage tissue, which may account for the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

It is relatively simple to measure telomere lengths in cells, and with advancements in DNA testing, it is getting easier every day. It may be possible that the new findings from the study could be used to create a test for future osteoarthritis risk. This may make it easier for doctors to provide a prescription to buy Celebrex.