From Bone and Joint Health to Cancer Causes: An Epidemiological Observation of Common Movement Disorders and Malignant Tumors

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease characterized by degenerative changes in articular cartilage and secondary bone hyperplasia. It includes degenerative osteoarthritis, senile arthritis, and proliferative arthritis, which can lead to joint pain, functional impairment, and even loss of motor function. It is most common in middle-aged and elderly people, and frequently affects the weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip, spine, and distal interphalangeal joints. Clinically, it is mainly manifested by joint pain and varying degrees of functional impairment. Senile degenerative osteoarthritis severely hinders the daily living activities of elderly patients and is considered the second leading cause of disability after heart disease. Osteoarthritis is divided into primary and secondary osteoarthritis. The pathogenesis of primary osteoarthritis is not yet fully understood. Some scholars believe that excessive metalloproteinases can cause cartilage-destructive osteoarthritis and are a major pathological factor. In addition, age, sex, race, weight, genetics, sex hormones, overuse or disuse of joints, immunity, free radicals, and metalloproteinases also play important roles in its pathogenesis.

Secondary osteoarthritis is initially caused by congenital deformities, trauma, acquired unevenness of articular surfaces, joint instability, and other pathological changes leading to poor joint surface alignment. Osteoarthritis develops on the basis of pre-existing local lesions in the joint. Osteoarthritis is highly prevalent in middle-aged and elderly people, with a higher incidence in women than men. The incidence varies depending on the region and the location of the joint. The prevalence increases with age. The incidence reaches 40% in people aged 55-64, over 50% in those over 65, and up to 80% in those over 75. Osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of pain and disability in the elderly, with significantly higher prevalence and disability rates in rural areas than in urban areas. Secondly, it is mainly caused by trauma or mechanical wear, such as malocclusion after intra-articular fractures, joint strain from long-term heavy-duty work, and uneven stress on the joint due to sports-related sprains. In the knee joint, it also includes poor repair after meniscus tears. Elderly individuals who engage in heavy physical labor for extended periods experience wear and tear on frequently used areas such as the knees and spine due to the heavy load and prolonged activity. This causes the articular cartilage to lose its normal smoothness and become rough. Simultaneously, the joint capsules, ligaments, and tendons around the joints also suffer from strain and periarticular hyperplasia. Some patients' physical examinations reveal that age-related degenerative osteoarthritis is also significantly related to diet and climate. On the one hand, articular cartilage lacks blood vessels, and changes in dietary structure and malnutrition can exacerbate the disease. On the other hand, prolonged exposure to damp and cold environments can easily induce and worsen the disease. Section 8 Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a systemic metabolic skeletal disease characterized by decreased bone mass and deterioration of bone microstructure, leading to increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Clinicians have long treated osteoporosis from a disease perspective. However, osteoporosis is a pervasive process that can cause serious adverse events such as fractures. The focus of treatment is not on diagnosing osteoporosis, but on assessing short-term and long-term fracture risks and providing appropriate interventions. Osteoporosis is more common in the elderly and postmenopausal women. In addition, many secondary factors such as nutritional diseases, endocrine disorders, hormone therapy, and organ transplantation can also trigger osteoporosis. With the increasing aging of the population, rising life pressures, and earlier menopause, the incidence of osteoporosis is showing a year-on-year upward trend.

Malignant Tumors

From a pathogenesis perspective, cancer is truly a molecular or genetic disease. If mutations in several key genes occur at the germ cell stage, the cancer is hereditary. Most cancers are sporadic, and mutations in various key genes occur in somatic cells. The occurrence of these cancers is closely related to environmental factors and lifestyle, such as smoking, nutritional factors, infections, occupational exposure, and environmental pollution. Air pollution is associated with lung cancer; excessive intake of oils, animal fats, cholesterol, and alcohol increases the risk of lung cancer; the rising incidence of breast and colorectal cancer is mainly related to lifestyle changes brought about by economic development, such as a more Westernized lifestyle, high-fat, low-fiber diets, reduced physical activity, and the resulting overweight and obesity. The overall incidence of malignant tumors in my country is on the rise, increasing at an average annual rate of 3% to 5%. The incidence of malignant tumors is higher in men than in women, and the incidence increases with age.