Exploring shared genes in osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease, researchers uncover genetic connections that could reshape prevention strategies for both conditions. Study: Shared genetic factors between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease may underlie common etiology . Image Credit: Sergey Nivens / Shutterstock.

com A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications identifies shared genetic risk factors between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease, which may contribute to the etiology of both diseases. Cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal diseases worldwide and is associated with a wide range of health complications, including cardiovascular disease. Both osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease may arise due to numerous environmental risk factors, including advanced age, smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity.

In some patients, these two diseases co-occur, which could be due to these shared environmental risk factors or a shared genetic liability. Although certain genetic risk factors significantly contribute to the etiologies of both osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease, it remains unclear the extent to which these diseases share the same etiology in terms of genetic liability. Important observations In the current study, scientists explore whether co-occurrence of osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease is due to shared genetic or environmental risk factors.

To this end,.