OSTEOARTHRITIS IN OLDER ADULTS

OBJECTIVE: this review highlights the clinical and patho-physiologic f eatures of osteoarthritis (OA) of the peripheral joints and discusses the current and future management options for this common but potentia lly disabling disease. This article also addresses the contribution of osteoarthritis to falls and functional impairment in older people, DE SIGN: A critical assessment of current data regarding the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, current and future therapies, and the potential ro le of Oh in falls and functional impairment in older people. CONCLUSIO NS: Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent articular disease in older ad ults, Disease markers that will detect early disease and allow early i ntervention with pharmacologic agents that modify, if not halt, diseas e progression are much needed, but they are presently unavailable, Cur rent management should include safe and adequate pain relief using sys temic and local therapies and should also include medical and rehabili tative interventions to prevent, or at least compensate for, functiona l deficits. Although OA can result in impaired mobility and lower extr emity function, its contribution as a cause of recurrent falls or impa ired self-care, relative to other comorbid conditions,: remains;Ii-def ined. Further analysis of the determinants of disability, loss of mobi lity and falls in older patients with OA is needed.