Knee osteoarthritis - a pathological basis for use of newer drug therapies

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the whole knee joint occurring due to an interaction between inflammatory, hypoxic, and mechanical pathways. Initial management includes monotherapy with analgesics or anti‑inflammatory agents, eventually switching over to combination therapy with steroids and/or newer drugs. Cardiovascular risks associated with non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) limit their long term use. Hence, novel target receptors or pathways, which remain unaffected by conventional therapy and modify disease are being increasingly looked for. Newer drugs such as glucosamine, chondroitin, methylsulfonylmethane, diacerein along with vitamins/minerals are commonly used as adjuncts to NSAIDs or as monotherapy. Because of their novel mechanisms of action and better safety profile they seem to be promising as disease modifying agents in the treatment of OA. Google, PubMed, Cochrane databases and Science Direct search was performed, and relevant articles were identified. This review focuses on the pathological targets which these drugs modify in order to bring about a symptom modifying effect

Osteoarthritis of the Knee-Need for Risk Factor Modification

ABSTRACT Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common problem among the elderly population. Therapy of osteoarthritis includes use of non pharmacological, pharmacological and surgical approaches. In management of osteoarthritis, it is important that we know all the risk factors responsible for it. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of risk factors and the therapies modifying these factors based on the established literature, as well as recently available literature. PubMed, Cochrane databases and Science Direct search was performed and relevant articles were identified. This review provides an overview of evidence based guidelines for risk factor modification approach in osteoarthritis

Diabetic tongue - Could it be a diagnostic criterion?

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disease which usually manifests in the form of polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, blurry vision, frequent skin infections, and slow healing of skin lesions. Taste disturbances like ageusia, hypogeusia and dysgeusia have been associated with DM. The early diagnosis of DM based on these symptoms is very important to start treatment early and thereby prevent complications. We present an interesting case of a female presenting with altered taste as the first symptom of DM