The inheritance of hip osteoarthritis in Iceland

Abstract

The objectives of this study were

• 1 to assess in a population-wide study the genetic component of hip OA in Iceland leading to total joint replacement (THR)

• 2 to describe a large kinship with inherited hip OA and its associated susceptibility locus

Settlement in Iceland began AD 870 and was completed AD 930, at which time there were 10-20,000 inhabitants on the island. The Vikings brought slaves into the country, mostly from Ireland, during the same period. The population experienced several catastrophic decimations due to disease, such as bubonic plague, and famine in connection with volcanic eruptions. For example, some 30% of the Icelandic population perished in connection with eruptions around the year 1783. Until recently, much of the population lived in small isolated fishing and farming communities along the coast line. The Icelandic population, currently a total of some 275,000, thus fulfills several conditions for an enrichment, and identification, of inherited diseases.