I am not an expert and diagnosed myself through the internet and this forum. Have an appointment in Paris in January. I do have osteo arthritis they tell me. No complaints as of yet, just discovered it through an xray I had taken after a fall. They saw it in my spine. My guess is that there is not relation except that I am a rather short small white woman of European descent, making me a good candidate for both. Good luck to you and your son.Hang in there.