Osteoarthritis and Cardiovascular Diseases: Etiological and Clinical-Pathogenetic Relationships, Treatment and Prevention

In recent years, numerous studies have shown a link between osteoarthritis (OA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Comorbidity of one of these diseases is directly and significantly associated with an increased risk of developing another. Objective. Carrying out a critical analysis of the results ofstudies related to the relationship between CVD and OA, as well as an assessment of the possibilities of their joint prevention and treatment. Methods. Publications from the Google search system, electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and other relevant sources of scientific and medical information were analyzed. The results. The main pathogenetic explanation of the relationship between CVD and OA is the presence of systemic,slowly progressing inflammation, which becomes especially important in patients of older age groups. The similarity of the composition of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the development of both CVD and OA enhances pathological changes in the structure of comorbidity. CVD and OA share common pathological mechanisms, such as oxidative and metabolic stress, molecular factors of endothelial dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, and systemic and local vascular remodeling. At the same time, it was established that OA develops against the backgroundof CVD risk factors and progresses along with their accumulation. Special care should be taken when prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The appointment of systemic forms of NSAIDs is not recommended for patientswith high and very high cardiovascular risk. Conclusions. In patients with both conditions, the risk of one is directly related to an increased risk of the other. Further study of the role of comorbiditiesin the pathogenesis of OA will expand the understanding of the integration of cardiovascular risk factors. These facts provide prospects for further studying the role of comorbidities in the pathogenesis of OA, expanding the understandingof the integration of cardiovascular risk factors and successful cardiovascular prevention and treatment of OA.