Osteoarthritis: A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease, Dementia, and Cancer

Osteoarthritis can increase the risk of developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, and diabetes. VPLAB/Shutterstock

A recent study spanning 20 years revealed that people with osteoarthritis are nearly three times more likely to develop multiple chronic conditions compared to the general population, significantly raising their risk of death. This finding underscores the importance of preventing and managing osteoarthritis progression.

Understanding Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the United States, particularly affecting middle-aged and older adults. Beyond its immediate symptoms of joint pain and stiffness that diminish quality of life, it frequently occurs alongside other serious chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, and diabetes.

In 2011, Stanford University published a study in Nature Medicine identifying low-grade chronic inflammation as a key driver of osteoarthritis progression. This inflammatory mechanism is similar to those found in other degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and macular degeneration, and creates links to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

The Cascade Effect of Chronic Conditions

Recent research provides some evidence of the interconnected nature of osteoarthritis and other health condition and excess weight, obesity, and physical inactivity are shared risk factors.

Increased Risk of Chronic Conditions

A study published in RMD Open in July followed nearly 10,000 osteoarthritis patients (average age 66) over two decades. The findings showed that these patients were three times more likely to develop severe multimorbidity (having two or more chronic health conditions) compared to those without osteoarthritis, which in turn increased their risk of death. By the study’s end, 57 percent of patients had died.