DISEASE MODIFYING OSTEOARTHRITIS DRUGS

Osteoarthriris is a chronic joint disorder characterised by degradation and reparation processes of joint cartilage and subchondral bone with the presence of accompanying mild synovitis. Although the most important risk factor is the mechanical loading, biochemical and genetic factors also play a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. The primary goals in the management of osteoarthritis are to reduce the risk factors through patient education, to alleviate and relieve the pain and to restore the impaired functionality. Recently, modifying the progression of osteoarthritis has been included as a goal for the management of osteoarthritis. For this purpose, molecules that have an effect on pathophysiological processes of osteoarthritis were developed and these agents were classified as disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs. The scientific researches that investigate the effects of these products present conflicting results and therefore long-term follow-up studies which are more standardized are necessary.