Genes clue to development of arthritis

The team of international researchers hope the discovery will bring genetic screening to identify those at risk of developing Paget’s disease a step closer.

The condition impacts the way bone develops and renews itself and can lead to enlarged and malformed bones.

It affects more people in the UK than anywhere else in the world.

Scientists, led by the University of Edinburgh, believe the genes are involved in regulating the rate at which bone is renewed and repaired, providing an explanation of why the disease occurs.

Professor Stuart Ralston, Arthritis Research UK professor of rheumatology, headed the study and said the results could be a “major advance” in dealing with the bone disease.

He said: “We have now identified seven genes that predispose people to Paget’s. The effect of these is large, and together they considerably increase the risk of developing the condition.

“Our work shows that these genes together very strongly predict the development of Paget’s disease.

“Their effects are so powerful that they could be of real value in screening for risk of the disease. This is important since we know that if treatment is left too late, then irreversible damage to the bones can occur.

“If we were able to intervene at an early stage with preventative therapy, guided by genetic profiling, this would be a major advance.”

The study is published in the journal Nature Genetics. Professor Ralston is now setting up a clinical trial to identify people at risk of Paget’s and to offer them preventative treatment.