'QuickDASH' to find Unique Genes and Biological Processes Associated with Shoulder Osteoarthritis: a prospective case-control study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease impacting the synovial joint complex, yet transcriptional changes specific to shoulder OA remain underexplored. This study aims to profile transcriptomic changes in periarticular tissues from patients undergoing shoulder replacement for OA. By correlating these profiles with QuickDASH scores—a validated measure of worsening shoulder function—this research seeks to understand the gene expression changes associated with clinical decline. Capsular tissue biopsies from shoulder OA patients were compared with those from a control group undergoing shoulder stabilization for recurrent instability. This investigation forms part of a larger transcriptomic analysis of painful shoulder conditions which will address the current gap in knowledge regarding the molecular and genetic underpinnings of shoulder OA, rotator cuff tears and cuff-tear arthropathy. Overall design: Tissue samples were collected from OA patients with a range of QuickDASH scores and underwent transcriptome profiling to understand the gene associations with shoulder joint symptoms and disability. Bone, muscle, capsule, fat and synovium are included from n=6 patients.