The early detection of knee osteoarthritis was the focus of CircBioCare’s participation in a recent episode of OAFI Radio, the monthly joint-health programme of the Osteoarthritis Foundation International (OAFI). Dr Berta Cillero Pastor, Principal Investigator at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine (Maastricht University), joined OAFI President Dr Josep Vergés to discuss why the disease is still diagnosed late and how research can change this.
The episode, titled “Osteopenia: the importance of acting in time”, was devoted to prevention and early diagnosis in musculoskeletal health. It brought together experts in bone and joint health to discuss the window of opportunity that exists before irreversible damage occurs.
A silent disease that is diagnosed too late
Dr Cillero Pastor began by outlining one of the main clinical challenges in osteoarthritis. Because cartilage is almost entirely without nerves, the disease usually progresses without symptoms in its early stages. Patients only notice it once the damage reaches surrounding tissues, such as the synovial membrane or the fat pad of the knee. By the time pain leads them to seek medical advice, joint damage is often already advanced. “When patients reach the clinic, it is often too late for many therapeutic options,” she noted.
She also put the problem in the context of Europe’s ageing population. Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint conditions, and a large share of patients eventually need a knee replacement. The resulting loss of mobility can lead to further health problems, including weight gain and higher long-term mortality.
Why early detection of knee osteoarthritis matters
Dr Cillero Pastor explained how circulating biomarkers, combined with artificial intelligence, could make it possible to identify people at risk years before clinical symptoms appear. Detecting these changes early would create an opportunity to act through lifestyle changes or targeted therapies, before the joint is too damaged.
She also stressed that osteoarthritis does not present the same way in everyone. “A person with metabolic syndrome and a sedentary lifestyle is not the same as an elite athlete,” she explained. Because of this, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies need to be tailored to each patient profile. In the long term, this personalised approach could include regenerative therapies, such as stem cells obtained from the patient’s own fat tissue, applied at a stage when the joint can still be preserved.
Dr Vergés described early biochemical detection as the way forward in osteoarthritis care. “The future lies in identifying these biochemical changes at an early stage, through a diagnosis that is simple and affordable, and acting from there,” he stated. He added that once cartilage is severely damaged, the response to treatment is considerably poorer.
Impact on patients and healthcare systems
Dr Vergés also highlighted the potential impact on healthcare systems, since joint replacement, rehabilitation and work disability are the largest share of the economic burden of osteoarthritis. The early detection of knee osteoarthritis could therefore improve patients’ quality of life while also reducing healthcare costs.
He underlined the value of European collaboration as well. “Pilot studies can be conducted with small groups of patients, but robust conclusions require large cohorts,” he said, adding that this kind of research can only move forward with large databases and international cooperation.
Bringing research closer to society
This participation is part of CircBioCare’s commitment to engaging patients and society throughout the research process. The project recognises that the success of any new diagnostic tool depends on it being understood and accepted by the people it is designed to serve. Platforms such as OAFI Radio help bring scientific progress to patients and the general public in a clear and accessible way.
The full episode is available on OAFI’s YouTube channel and on the main podcast platforms. You can check a summary of the interview here:
