Inflammation is a relevant treatment target in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disorder affecting all joint tissues, including cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovium. Histological studies of synovial tissue of osteoarthritic joints showed that inflammation was common, 1 de Lange-Brokaar BJE Ioan-Facsinay A van Osch GJVM et al. Synovial inflammation, immune cells and their cytokines in osteoarthritis: a review. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2012; 20: 1484-1499 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (471) Google Scholar which is supported by ultrasonography and MRI studies. Since synovial inflammation in osteoarthritis is associated with joint pain and development of structural damage, 2 Obotiba AD Swain S Kaur J et al. Synovitis and bone marrow lesions associate with symptoms and radiographic progression in hand osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2021; 29: 946-955 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar it could be a potential target for osteoarthritis treatment. However, results of clinical trials with anti-inflammatory drugs have been inconclusive. Methotrexate to treat hand osteoarthritis with synovitis (METHODS): an Australian, multisite, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trialTreatment of hand osteoarthritis and synovitis with 20 mg methotrexate for 6 months had a moderate but potentially clinically meaningful effect on reducing pain, providing proof of concept that methotrexate might have a role in the management of hand osteoarthritis with an inflammatory phenotype. Full-Text PDF