Spanish experts warn that osteoarthritis is advancing at 30 and 40 years of age

Talking about osteoarthritis is talking about the aging of joints. Or at least, that's how it has been so far and that's what has been repeated over and over to the more than 7 million people who suffer from it. But the reality is different. Early detection has revealed an increase in cases of osteoarthritis in younger people, between 30 and 40 years old.

This is what experts gathered at the 'IV Osteoarthritis Course of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology' have indicated, held this weekend in Madrid. “Traditionally, it was considered a disease linked to old age, but now osteoarthritis also affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 40,” explains Francisco Castro, a rheumatologist at the Teknon Medical Center in Barcelona and one of the course coordinators.

Why has the onset of osteoarthritis advanced? “In addition to genetic predisposition and certain occupational patterns, the increase in sports activities that involve joint overload has emerged as a risk factor for early osteoarthritis. The growing practice of high-impact sports, without adequate preparation, contributes to premature joint wear and tear,” says Francisco Castro.

In addition, “the rise in obesity must be taken into account, as it represents a crucial risk factor. Not only does it increase the burden on weight-bearing joints such as knees and hips, promoting early osteoarthritis, but it is also associated with osteoarthritis in non-weight-bearing joints through metaflammation mechanisms (metabolic inflammation accompanying metabolic pathologies).”

New therapies

In this course, we also discussed new therapies for this rheumatic disease, which currently has no treatment. Lola Fernández de la Fuente, from the Rheumatology Department at Quirónsalud Infanta Luisa Hospital (Seville), has explained that “regenerative therapies in osteoarthritis aim for a more comprehensive approach, where the goal is not only to relieve symptoms, but also to act on the various affected joint structures, thus modifying the course of the disease".

De la Fuente referenced stem cell therapies, PRP, and exosomes, which “are showing promising benefits in modulating inflammation and tissue regeneration.” These types of therapies are particularly recommended for patients in the early or moderate stages of the disease, as their potential to regenerate tissue is greater in joints with less irreversible structural damage. Patients with rapid progression characteristics or a more inflammatory phenotype could particularly benefit from these treatments.

In your opinion, “the main benefits of regenerative therapies include sustained pain relief, improvement in joint function, and the potential to slow down the progression of the disease. Although the risks of these therapies are generally low, there are challenges regarding the standardization of protocols and the variability in results. Conclusive evidence of long-term structural regeneration in cartilage is still lacking, but many studies show functional and analgesic improvements that offer an alternative for patients who do not respond to other treatments.”