Osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes mellitus: What are the links?

Abstract in brief

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder and a major cause of disability, traditionally linked to aging and mechanical stress but now recognized as a whole joint disease involving synovium and bone, and associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• Recent studies have identified type 2 diabetes as an independent risk factor for OA, with evidence from epidemiological data and diabetic animal models showing more severe joint damage that can be reduced with diabetes treatments like insulin or pioglitazone.
• The harmful effects of diabetes on joints may result from increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and the accumulation of aging-related products due to chronic high blood glucose; insulin resistance and systemic low-grade inflammation also contribute to joint degradation.