Combined Study, of Estrogen Influence, on Large Joints Severe Osteoarthritis

This is a combined study of 4 centers of osteoarthritis, in Spain, and the United Kingdom. The patient number is huge, 5528 individuals (3098 patients with osteoarthritis and 2381 controls) were genotyped for aromatase (CYP19A1), and estrogen receptor A (ER1) genes.





Results suggest what many are advocating, that estrogen related genes, are associated with large joints (e.g. hip) osteoarthritis, and it is shown to have a statistically significant sex interaction.


What does that reflect to in our field, the temporo-mandibular joint, that remains to be seen with other studies specifically for this smaller joint. The biological, status quo in the TMJ is different so without a relevant study nothing more can be said at this point, however we see a sex prevalence (females) in the TMJ, if you address the question to  an experienced clinician.


You can find the article Summary at science direct it is accepted for publication and it is on press right now, at the Osteoarthritis and Cartilege Journal, you can find it here however you need to be a subscriber to download and read the whole article.

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
Article in Press,doi:10.1016/j.joca.2010.04.002  


Small glossary - Facts:
Osteoarthitis :degenerative joint disease, with initial inflammation causes
Osteoarthrosis:degenerative joint disease with secondary inducing by inflamation


Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease with almost 8 million people affected in UK and 27 million in USA.
Symptoms, joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, locking and sometimes effussion (increased intra-joint fluid).
Therapy mainly with analgetics, change of life style, and in chronic distractive cases joint replacement surgically.

Affects smaller joints as well.

Flattening of right condyle CBCT data from http://www.dmfiua.com/