Osteoarthritis associated with metabolic syndrome: epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment

   Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a complex of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperuricemia and arterial hypertension. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people with obesity worldwide is steadily increasing, taking on the characteristics of a “pandemic”. Against this backdrop, diseases pathogenetically linked to MS, such as osteoarthritis (OA), are gaining particular significance. Modern biochemical and molecular-genetic research has provided new data on the etiology and pathogenesis of OA, allowing the identification of phenotypes of the condition. One such phenotype is OA associated with MS, or metabolic OA. The development of this form of the disease is influenced by numerous factors, including hypersecretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines, transformation of synovial macrophages, direct effects of free fatty acids, biomechanical overload of joints, and others. Treatment of metabolic OA, in addition to standard approaches outlined in numerous clinical guidelines, has its own specific features. Particular emphasis is placed on weight reduction through lifestyle modification, strengthening of musculo-tendinous complexes, and concomitant therapy for metabolic disorders. These measures have demonstrated significant therapeutic effects, including pain reduction, decreased inflammation, and slowing of disease progression. One of the modern comprehensive remedies with phytonutritional components is Revocca capsules (“BIOTECHNOS”, Russia). Their composition in daily dosage includes phytosterols (calculated as β-sitosterol) at 100 mg, unsaponifiable compounds from avocado and soybean oils (in a 1:2 ratio) at 300 mg, rosehip extract at 300 mg, resveratrol at 70 mg, and zinc (as zinc citrate) at 12 mg. Given the increasing number of patients with the metabolic phenotype of OA, comprehensive hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory therapy provided by multi-component drugs is becoming increasingly significant.

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