About this Research Topic
Musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases represent a diverse group of diseases, which commonly affect the locomotor system including muscles, bones, joints, and tendons, such as osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, and gout. MSK diseases are the leading cause of disability worldwide and have a serious impact on both physical and psychological conditions through joint pain and dysfunction, social exclusion, loss of employment, and reduced productivity. Most of these diseases are long-standing and worsen over time, posing a great burden on financial expenditure and medical services. In addition, in the context of a global ageing population, the social impact caused by MSK diseases will be further exacerbated in the future.
Although great progress has been achieved in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of MSK diseases, the exact etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases are still poorly understood. Currently, multiple risk factors, either modifiable or non-modifiable, have been identified to be associated with the onset and progression of rheumatic diseases, including gender, genetic variations and mutations, dysregulation and excessive activation of immune mechanisms, and metabolic abnormalities. Recently, other risk factors have also attracted researchers’ attention, such as nutritional imbalance, obesity, environmental pollution, low socioeconomic status, and lifestyle habits of smoking and alcohol consumption. Since there are significant heterogeneities in the pathophysiological pathways and clinical features amongst MSK diseases, recognizing the potential risk factors of MSK diseases is of great significance for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.
The goal of this Research Topic is to explore new evidence on the risk factors in the pathogenesis and development of MSK diseases, focusing on their molecular and cellular functions and potential therapeutic targets. We encourage the submission of Original Articles and Reviews related to the following sub-themes, including but not limited to:
• Novel identifying the potential risk factors for MSK diseases, either modifiable or non-modifiable.
• Molecular and cellular functions of risk factors in the pathogenesis and development of MSK diseases.
• Biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the risk factors of MSK diseases.
Although great progress has been achieved in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of MSK diseases, the exact etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases are still poorly understood. Currently, multiple risk factors, either modifiable or non-modifiable, have been identified to be associated with the onset and progression of rheumatic diseases, including gender, genetic variations and mutations, dysregulation and excessive activation of immune mechanisms, and metabolic abnormalities. Recently, other risk factors have also attracted researchers’ attention, such as nutritional imbalance, obesity, environmental pollution, low socioeconomic status, and lifestyle habits of smoking and alcohol consumption. Since there are significant heterogeneities in the pathophysiological pathways and clinical features amongst MSK diseases, recognizing the potential risk factors of MSK diseases is of great significance for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.
The goal of this Research Topic is to explore new evidence on the risk factors in the pathogenesis and development of MSK diseases, focusing on their molecular and cellular functions and potential therapeutic targets. We encourage the submission of Original Articles and Reviews related to the following sub-themes, including but not limited to:
• Novel identifying the potential risk factors for MSK diseases, either modifiable or non-modifiable.
• Molecular and cellular functions of risk factors in the pathogenesis and development of MSK diseases.
• Biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the risk factors of MSK diseases.
Keywords: musculoskeletal diseases, risk factors, etiology, pathogenesis, therapeutic targets
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
