The presence of a large geriatric and target patient population and the improving healthcare infrastructure in several APAC countries are expected to offer growth opportunities in the market during the forecast period. 

The market for osteoarthritis therapeutics is anticipated to be marginally affected due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Among drug types, the use of corticosteroids has reduced. Although there is no evidence to suggest that corticosteroid injections lead to a substantial increase in the risk of infection, there is a possible reduction in the immune response for up to a few weeks following the procedure. While this risk is extremely low, it needs to be considered when deciding to proceed with the procedure. 

It should also be noted that the WHO, in one of its guidelines for the management of severe acute respiratory infection in patients with coronavirus, suggested avoiding systemic corticosteroids.  

The adoption of pain medications for the management of pain associated with osteoarthritis is expected to remain high over the coming decade, which is anticipated to propel the growth of the market during the study period. 

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐏𝐃𝐅 @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=209565994 

OTC and prescription NSAIDs are widely used to relieve pain in osteoarthritis patients. As per a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2019, more than 50% of osteoarthritis patients in the US are prescribed NSAIDs. Similarly, in Europe, of the total number of osteoarthritis patients using prescription medications (47%), 60% received NSAIDs. 

A study presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2018) stated that more than two-thirds of the increased cardiovascular risk associated with osteoarthritis is linked to NSAIDs. Such risks associated with the use of NSAIDs can potentially discourage doctors from prescribing these medications while driving patients using OTC NSAIDs to opt for alternative products. 

Essential features of biomarkers that will have clinical relevance for a personalized approach to therapy for RA include the ease of measurement, acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity, and test methods that are accessible and interpretable by clinicians.  

On the basis of route of administration, the osteoarthritis therapeutics market has been segmented into oral, topical, and parenteral routes. The parenteral route accounted for the largest share of this market in 2019 and is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.