Summary
Obesity is an increasingly important health problem for both man and dog. Osteoarthritis
(OA) is a significant cause of pain and disability in both species. A link between
obesity and OA has been established in man, though the exact mechanism of the relationship
remains to be fully elucidated – current research supports both biomechanical and
biochemical theories. There is good evidence (class I[*]) to support weight loss as an effective treatment for human knee OA. In the dog,
the relationship is just beginning to be investigated. The results of one study in
dogs (class IV evidence[*]) suggest that preventing the development of overweightness and obesity reduces the
prevalence of hip dysplasia and OA of the hip and other joints. Three other studies
(class III and IV evidence[*]) support weight loss as an effective treatment for OA in affected over-weight and
obese dogs. Further research could yield greater understanding of the pathophysiology
of this relationship, perhaps identifying novel therapeutic targets. Confirmation
and better understanding of the positive effect of treating and preventing obesity
on symptoms and prevalence of OA is likely to be valuable in the campaign against
canine obesity.
Keywords
Obesity - osteoarthritis - canine - human