350 HFE C282Y HOMOZYGOSITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS IN MEN BUT NOT WOMEN

were challenged by in vivo collagenase treatment, increased staining of the chondrocytes was seen. Conclusions: We identified a genetic variant on chromosome 19 to be associated with cartilage thickness and hip OA. The variant is located in a gene showing an expression pattern that supports a role in chondrogenetic differentiation. GWAS for underlying endophenotypes might be a prolific route to identify risk loci for complex diseases such as OA.