Exome Evaluation in Patients Living With Diabetes Complicated by Charcot Neuroarthropathy.

In patients living with diabetes, a rare and devastating joint complication known as Charcot's neuroarthropathy (CN) has been observed. The clinical presentation of this complication is characterized by activation of inflammation and bone remodeling markers, disruption of the osteoblast and osteoclast system, activation of the RANKL (Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand) system and its antagonist osteoprotegerin (OPG), and often a fatigue fracture due to physical activity.

The pathogenic mechanisms of CN have been the subject of much debate, and there are a number of competing theories which are not necessarily exclusive.

CN patients have been shown to have reduced bone density in the lower limbs compared with neuropathic subjects. Studies using bone markers to assess bone formation and resorption demonstrated that there is an increase in osteoclastic activity relative to osteoblastic activity in both acute and chronic forms of CN. In 2007, W.J. Jeffcoate described CN as an increased inflammatory response to injury inducing increased bone lysis. Since the emergence of this theory, a significant number of studies have evaluated inflammatory factors and bone modeling in patients with CN, such as C-reactive protein, TNF α and IL6. Three studies showed an increase in their levels in the setting of CN.

otherwise known genes, or new genes implicated in the disease, for diagnostic purposes This approach makes it possible to validate previously described genes and/or discover new loci linked to new signalling pathways involved in the pathophysiology of Charcot's foot in patients with diabetes.