A cross sectional study of the association between sex, smoking, and other lifestyle factors and osteoarthritis of the hand.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the association between sex, smoking, physical activity, occupation, and previous digit fracture and hand osteoarthritis (OA).


METHODS
Cross sectional study of 522 subjects from 101 Tasmanian families (348 women, 174 men). Hand OA was assessed by 2 observers using the OARSI atlas for joint space narrowing and osteophytes at distal interphalangeal (DIP) and carpometacarpal joints as well as a score for Heberden's nodes based on hand photography. A structured questionnaire collected information regarding physical activity, sport participation, occupation, and smoking history.


RESULTS
Women had a higher prevalence of hand OA and the increase with age was significantly higher for women at all sites (all p < 0.05). Ever smoking was associated with less frequent (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38, 0.92) and less severe Heberden's nodes (beta -0.60, 95% CI -1.03, -0.17), but not radiological disease. Recall of occupation, physical activity, and sport participation between the ages of 20 and 40 years had no association with the prevalence or severity of hand OA, while self-reported digital fracture was significantly associated with more common (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.22, 4.83) and severe DIP joint disease (beta +3.92, 95% CI +1.50, +6.36). No factors were associated with carpometacarpal disease.


CONCLUSIONS
In this sample, women had a higher prevalence of hand OA at all sites as well as greater severity and a steeper age gradient (implying higher incidence rates). Smoking may decrease the risk of Heberden's nodes while having no effect on radiological hand OA, suggesting a differential effect possibly at the time of disease onset. With the exception of digital fracture, these data do not support a causal role for occupation or activity in earlier life with regard to hand OA.
Jones
Graeme
G
Menzies Centre for Population Health Research, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. g.jones@utas.edu.au
Cooley
Helen M
HM
Stankovich
James M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011859:Radiography; D012218:Rheumatoid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013648:Tasmania / Q000453:epidemiology