Smoking makes OA more painful

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Smoking Makes Knee Osteoarthritis Worsehttp://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/Arthritis/dh/4663There is evidence that cigarette smoke has a negative effect on cartilage metabolism, the researchers said. In vitro studies have shown that components of tobacco smoke have a harmful effect on disc chondrocyte function, inhibiting cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis.These findings, they said, raise concern about the negative effects of smoking on chondrocyte function in articular cartilage. In addition, the deleterious effect of smoking may be greatest when cartilage is already damaged.Other theories to explain the cartilage damage, according to the investigators, are increased oxidant stress, which contributes to cartilage loss. They also suggested increased carbon monoxide levels in arterial blood, adding to tissue hypoxia, which could impair cartilage repair.The mechanism behind the increased pain in these patients is not clear, the researchers said, as cartilage does not have pain fibers. Smoking, they suggested, may affect other knee-joint structures mediating knee pain or may affect an individual's musculoskeletal pain threshold. Sears, DCNW PDX