HealthDay reports on the findings from a new study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases that examined the risk of developing osteoarthritis among people with asthma or eczema conditions.

The connection between osteoarthritis and allergic diseases could be the low-grade inflammation, said Theodore R. Fields, MD, FACP, rheumatologist at HSS, who was not involved in the study, but commented on the findings.

"If treatment of atopic disease helps prevent or lessen osteoarthritis, there are a lot of options and will be more," said Dr. Fields.

"For patients with eczema or asthma, this data can make them aware that they might be more likely to get osteoarthritis," he continued.

If you have an allergic disease and develop aches and pains in your joints, see your doctor, advised Dr. Fields.

"We have many strategies to improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis but don't yet have a disease-modifying treatment," said Dr. Fields. 

"There can be some hope in this study for patients with eczema or asthma that their treatment for atopic disease might prevent or diminish their potential to develop osteoarthritis," he added.

Read the full article at healthday.com.