Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases that causes a person to have high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood, or hyperglycemia. Diabetes is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” because it can progress slowly and without warning. Hyperglycemia or high levels of blood sugar damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, heart, eyes and nervous system leading to heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, kidney failure and blindness.
A large cohort study, published in the August 2018 issue of Diabetologia, found osteoarthritis was a significant independent predictor of developing diabetes. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, associated with aging, that affects mainly the articular cartilage and is caused by chronic wear and tear, or injury to the cartilage. Osteoarthritis can occur in one joint or multiple joints and most commonly occurs in the knees, hips, fingers and lower spine region.
Researchers examined the relationship between, osteoarthritis of the hip and osteoarthritis of the knee, and the risk of diabetes. More than 16,000 participants were included in the study with a median follow-up of 13.5 years. Of the more than 16,000 participants, 1,637 (10%) were diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis, and 2431 (15%) with osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients with preexisting diabetes were excluded from the study.
After controlling for other variables such as cardiovascular disease or prior hypertension, the results showed that bilateral hip or knee osteoarthritis was associated with a significant (16-25%) increased risk for developing diabetes. The study also showed a relationship between the number of hip/knee joints with osteoarthritis and the incidence of diabetes.
The authors of the study concluded, “increased attention to management of hip and knee osteoarthritis with a view to improving mobility has the potential to reduce the incidence of diabetes.”
A stem cell transplant, at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute, can reduce the symptoms of OA including: improve range of motion, reduce inflammation, reduce stiffness, and potentially delay or eliminate the need for surgery; allowing patients to fully engage in the activities they enjoy.
Stem cell therapy using Mesenchymal stem cells:
- Promotes self-healing
- Can repair or replace bone or cartilage tissue
- Has potent anti-inflammatory capabilities
- Modulates abnormal immune system responses
- Prevents additional premature cell and tissue damage
- Reduces scarring
- Stimulates new blood vessel growth improving blood flow
Stem cell therapy, at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute, may help patients suffering with osteoarthritis that; are not responding adequately to standard drug treatment, cannot tolerate their current recommended treatment, are newly diagnosed, would like to try stem cell therapy before initiating drug treatment, or would like to avoid the risk, pain, and lengthy recovery of surgery.
Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
Reference:
Kendzerska T. et al., The impact of hip and knee osteoarthritis on the subsequent risk of incident diabetes: a population-based cohort study. Published online August 8, 2018. Diabetoligia.
