Genetic Influence on Osteoarthritis Versus Other Rheumatic Diseases
Authors' conclusion
OA has relatively large heritability as compared with other RMDs. The coexistence of OA and shoulder pain, as well as back pain, was common and could often be explained by genetic factors.
Study context
- Population
- Swedish twins aged 35 years or older; Rheumatic/musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) diagnosed in specialist and inpatient care
- Participants
- 59,970 Swedish twins
- Outcome
- Heritability of OA vs other RMDs and genetic share of OA–RMD covariance
Methodological detailsbivariate classical twin models, population-based
- Bivariate classical twin models
- Population-based
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Heritability (variance explained by genetic factors)
Any-site osteoarthritis (OA) heritability
50%
Hip OA heritability
64%
Fibromyalgia heritability (lowest)
23%
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) heritability (highest)
63%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Phenotypic correlation, OA (any joint site) and shoulder pain
- R
- 0.33 (95% CI 0.31-0.35)
- Explained by shared genetics
- 70% (95% CI 52-88)
Phenotypic correlation, OA and back/neck pain
- R
- 0.25
- Explained by genetics
- 25% to 75%
Phenotypic correlation, OA and each other RMD
- R
- ≈0.1 to r ≈0.2
- Inconclusive sources of variation
Original publication
Genetic Influence on Osteoarthritis Versus Other Rheumatic Diseases. Arthritis Rheumatol. Published 4 January 2024. doi:10.
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