Researchers at Lund University in Sweden published the results of a study showing there is a link between osteoarthritis (OA) and mortality due to cardiovascular disease.  The study was an epidemiological study designed to estimate cause-specific mortality in patients with OA compared to the general population.

Study Design

Researchers used a healthcare register to identify which residents of southern Sweden between the ages of 45 and 84 had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the peripheral joints between the years 1998 and 2003. They followed all residents of southern Sweden until the end of 2014 or until the resident moved or died. Using the death certificates, the cause of death was classified as: cardiovascular neoplasms, diabetes, infections, dementia, digestive disorders, or other.

Of the 469,000 residents of southern Sweden, 16,000 were diagnosed with arthritis of the knee, 9000 with arthritis of the hip, 4000 with arthritis of the wrist, and 5,500 with other forms of OA.

Results

For most of the causes of death, there was no increased risk in the OA group versus the general population. However, for patients diagnosed with OA of the knee or hip, the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease increased from 1 to 1.19 and 1.13 during the 9-11-year follow-up. Which means for every 100,000 people, with OA of the hip or knee, for 9-11 years, 40 more people will die of cardiovascular disease per year when compared to the general population. Most of the deaths were due to chronic ischemic heart disease and heart failure.

The researchers concluded, “Our results call for improved implementation of osteoarthritis treatment guidelines, with major focus on interventions to address mobility limitations and maintaining or increasing physical activity level.”¹

Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis

The goal of using stem cell therapy to treat osteoarthritis is to stimulate self-healing and improve the patient’s function and quality of life.

Why are patients with osteoarthritis choosing stem cell transplantation instead of surgery?

• Stem cell transplantation promotes self-healing
• Stem cell transplantation is less invasive than surgery
• Stem cell transplantation is a more “natural” treatment
  without the use of plastic or metal
• After stem cell transplantation, patients recover much
  more rapidly

A stem cell therapy can reduce the symptoms of OA, including improving range of motion, reducing inflammation, reducing stiffness, and potentially delaying or eliminating the need for surgery, allowing patients to fully engage in the activities they enjoy.

Stem Cell Therapy at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute

Stem cells support the self-healing of the joint cartilage. Osteoarthritis occurs with a gradual change to the immune system, cartilage is damaged, bone structure is remodeled, and a chronic inflammation of the synovium develops.

Mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to:

• Regulate the immune system response
• Inhibit inflammation
• Stimulate blood vessel growth
• Repair tissue
• Stimulate self-regeneration of the cartilage 

Why Choose the Stem Cells Transplant Institute?

• At our clinic, we tailor each stem cell treatment, based
  on the patient’s individual needs and goals.
• At the Stem Cells Transplant Institute, we use only adult
  mesenchymal stem cells, also called somatic stem cells.
• The mesenchymal stem cells come from two sources: 1. human
  umbilical cord or 2. the patient’s own tissue. This allows us to provide the
  best treatment, for each individual patient, based on his or her specific
  needs.
• Our clinic offers mesenchymal stem cells derived and
  expanded from human umbilical cord tissue.
• The human umbilical cord stem cells are collected,
  expanded, and tested over a three-week period before use at the Stem Cells
  Transplant Institute
• Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and autologous
  mesenchymal stem cells have been proven in clinical trials to be safe and
  effective.
• The mission of the Stem Cells Transplant Institute in
  Costa Rica, is to provide the highest level of care, using the most advanced
  technologies, to every patient that wants to experience the life changing
  benefits of stem cell therapy.

Don’t let the symptoms of OA keep you from staying active and enjoying everything life has to offer. Contact the Stem Cells Transplant Institute today to learn more about the benefits of stem cell therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Scientific Reference:

1. Turkiewicz
   et al. Cause-specific mortality in osteoarthritis of peripheral joints, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2019). DOI:
   10.1016/j.joca.2019.02.793