Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: a distinct clinical entity.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is often incorporated into osteoarthritis. Although DISH often coexists with OA, patients affected by this disorder differ from patients with primary OA in several aspects: prevalence in the general population, gender distribution, anatomic site of primary involvement, magnitude and distribution in the spine and the peripheral joints. DISH is a distinct clinical entity. Its recognition as such should stimulate clinicians and researchers to focus on its pathogenesis, treatment and prevention.