Comprehensive Review of Osteoarthritis Published in Nature Reviews Disease Primers

A new comprehensive review of osteoarthritis (OA) has been published in the prestigious journal Nature Reviews Disease Primers. The article, co-authored by Prof. Zhang Changqing from Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital and Prof. David J. Hunter from the University of Sydney, provides an in-depth analysis of OA's epidemiology, pathology, clinical diagnosis, prevention, and management.

The review highlights the complex nature of OA, which involves not only the destruction of articular cartilage but also inflammation of the synovium and other joint structures, including ligaments, tendons, and surrounding muscles. The authors emphasize that these pathological changes often interact with multiple inflammatory and metabolic pathways, leading to the development of patient symptoms.

The article also focuses on modifiable risk factors, such as obesity and joint injury, and critically evaluates existing treatment strategies. It points out that these approaches have limited adherence in real-world settings, exacerbating the global disease burden.

The review further explores potential future research directions and possible therapeutic breakthroughs, including stem cell therapy, gene therapy, metabolic control, and the development of new pain-targeted drugs.

The publication is a result of deep collaboration between Prof. Zhang and Prof. Hunter, who are both guest professors at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the University of Sydney, respectively. Their team has published multiple joint papers on OA research.

Prof. Hunter is also a consultant for Jinjiang Hospital, Fujian Province, and has previously guided clinical research there. The two institutions have already conducted international multicenter clinical trials involving OA and other fields.

In the future, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital will continue to collaborate with the University of Sydney and other domestic and foreign teams on cutting-edge research in areas such as stem cells and gene therapy, driving international multicenter clinical trials and bringing new therapeutic hopes to global OA patients.

Nature Reviews Disease Primers is a top-tier review journal that aims to provide comprehensive analysis and the latest research developments for global researchers and clinicians. The journal has an impact factor of 76.9 and focuses on one disease per issue. The article was written by a team of experts consisting of international academic scientists, translational researchers, and clinicians.

The first author is Prof. Zhang Changqing, in collaboration with Dr. Tang Su-an from Jinjiang Hospital, Fujian Province. Other co-authors include Prof. Sita Bierma-Zeinstra from Erasmus University Medical School, Prof. Anne-Marie Malfait from Rush University, and Prof. Tuhina Neogi from Boston University, among others.

The article was also contributed to by Dr. Fu Kai, a renowned orthopedic surgeon at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital.

This comprehensive review aims to provide a valuable resource for understanding complex diseases like OA and promoting translational research and clinical applications.