Genetics of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of morbidity, physical limitation, and health care use, including total joint arthroplasty. That OA has a genetic component has been known for some time, but only recently has formal study of this occurred. Twin studies, segregation analyses, linkage analyses, and candidate gene association studies have generated important information about inheritance patterns and the location in the genome of potentially causative mutations. Results across studies are not always concordant, however; this is likely the result of variations in study populations, disease definitions, evaluation of control subjects, and statistical analysis. Although the genetics of OA is complex and not completely understood, there is cause for optimism as rapidly improving technologies make the quest for the genes responsible for OA increasingly within reach. Family history of OA and joint replacement for OA should be assessed in the context of other potentially modifiable risk factors to attempt to alter patient outcome.