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Research into
osteoarthritis has just acquired a new flagship in Canada. The Université
de Montréal, in collaboration with the Centre hospitalier
de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), has inaugurated
the Université de Montréal Chair in Osteoarthritis.
For the incumbents of the largest chair for research into osteoarthritis
in Canada, Dr. Jean-Pierre Pelletier, rheumatologist, and doctor
of physiology Johanne Martel-Pelletier, the purpose of the new Chair
is to acquire new knowledge about the different pathological mechanisms
of osteoarthritis and improve available therapies.
“The objective is to continue to provide quality care to patients
and eventually find a cure for this disease,” noted Dr. Martel-Pelletier.
“Research remains the most effective way to combat osteoarthritis
and reduce its impact in both medical and financial terms,”
added Dr. Jean-Pierre Pelletier.
According to The Arthritis Society, in the next 30 years, the number
of Canadians suffering from arthritis, the most frequent form of
which is osteoarthritis, will grow by one million each decade. The
incidence of this degenerative disease of the joints increases as
the population aged. To date, approximately 65% of persons aged
60 years and over suffer from osteoarthritis, and the frequency
increases with age. The phenomenon is especially troubling given
that the direct cost of treatments represents five billion dollars
annually for Canada.
The pharmaceutical company Merck Frosst Canada & Co. has undertaken
to invest one million dollars in osteoarthritis research over the
next five years. “This contribution is part of our commitment
to improving the health of Canadians by every means available to
us,” said André Marcheterre, President of Merck Frosst
Canada & Co. Several other financial partners, including the
Université de Montréal and the CHUM Foundation, will
also support the activities of the Chair. The funds raised will
make it possible to consolidate all of the CHUM Osteoarthritis Research
Unit’s activities. More precisely, the fund-raising campaign,
whose minimum objective is four million dollars, will serve to financially
support researchers and students as well as purchase equipment.
The Chair in Osteoarthritis will not be used to pay the incumbents’
salaries, but rather to set up a program to foster research into
osteoarthritis and the well-being of osteoarthritis sufferers.
Research brings hope
There are more than 110 forms of arthritis, including lupus, rheumatoid
arthritis and osteoarthritis. The latter affects 1 in 10 Canadians
and appears in individuals aged 50 years and over. “Osteoarthritis
is a disease that is associated with aging. It is a gradual wearing
down of joints, characterized by disintegration of cartilage,”
explained Dr. Pelletier.
Cartilage is a whitish, rubbery substance that serves as a kind
of “shock absorber”—as the doctor put it. When it
deteriorates the bones rub together and in the long run, will be
destroyed. This results in mechanical problems, pain and morphological
deformation. However, the disease progresses at different rates
and presents symptoms and handicaps of differing degrees of seriousness
depending from one individual to another.
“The discovery of a new class of agents called COX-2 inhibitors
constitutes a breakthrough in research into arthritis. These drugs
are effective against both the pain and inflammation, while they
also reduce secondary effects,” Dr. Pelletier explained. “While
present drugs help to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis, we should
continue to invest in research in order to discover the cause and
a cure. Hopefully this will be done within five to ten years.”
(Photo available on CANAPRESS)
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