Largest Osteoarthritis Study Reveals Over 500 Genetic Links

A groundbreaking global study has identified over 900 genetic links to osteoarthritis, including more than 500 previously unknown variants, by analyzing genetic data from nearly two million people. This research, the largest of its kind, has highlighted 700 genes associated with the disease, with 10% already being targeted by approved drugs, paving the way for new drug development and the potential repurposing of existing treatments. Osteoarthritis, which currently lacks disease-modifying therapies, affects around 595 million people worldwide and is projected to reach one billion cases by 2050. Researchers believe these findings significantly advance understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the disease and open exciting new avenues for more effective and personalized treatments. The integration of diverse biomedical datasets and functional genomics has also uncovered key pathways involved in disease development. Experts emphasize that this work could lead to both new therapies and tailored treatment strategies for millions of sufferers.