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Prevalence and impact of hand
osteoarthritis among the elderly
What problem was studied?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, and can cause
severe pain and disability. And yet, OA is often viewed as
“minor aches and pains” that are an inevitable part of aging. Little
information has been gathered on the prevalence and impact of OA affecting the
joints of the fingers.
Arthritis Foundation-funded
researchers involved in the study: Yuqing Zhang, DSc, MPH, MB and
David T. Felson, MD, MPH, Boston University School of Medicine, supported
by Arthritis Foundation clinical grants
What was done in the
study?
This study examined 1032 people, aged 70 and over, who were enrolled in
the Framingham Study (a large, long-term population study). The study
participants had hand X-rays and answered questions about their hand joint
symptoms and ability to do several daily activities. A trained nurse recorded
their ability to perform certain functional tasks.
What were the study
results?
 The researchers discovered that symptoms of hand OA are common in this
population, affecting at least one finger joint in 13% of the men and 26% of the
women. They also found that symptomatic hand OA significantly limits hand
function—it is associated with weak grip strength and limits some key daily
activities, including writing, carrying a bundle, and handling small objects.
What’s the relevance to
people with arthritis?
This population-based study of symptomatic hand OA documents that it is a very
common problem that significantly impairs hand function. Similarly, a recent
Finnish study also showed that OA in finger joints had a high prevalence. These
types of population studies
suggest that even OA in the hands should be taken seriously, warranting the
attention of patients, their doctors and researchers.
Source: American
Journal of Epidemiology, December
2002
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12446258&dopt=Abstract
 
Research Update is compiled by
Michele Boutaugh, BSN, MPH, Medical and Scientific Affairs Department,
National Office.
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