title: The association between morbidity and radiographic hand osteoarthritis: a population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease and is considered to be a risk factor for other morbidities. We performed a population-based study to evaluate the association between morbidity and radiographic hand osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our population consisted of Chuvashians residing in peripheral villages of the Russian Federation. The investigated cohort included 434 males aged 18-86 years and 385 females aged 18-84 years. Osteoarthritis development was evaluated using the Kellgren and Lawrence grading scheme. Morbidity data was attained from their medical records and divided into 14 categories by an experienced research physician. To explore the relationship between morbidity and age-adjusted radiographic hand osteoarthritis score, one-way analysis of variance was used, with hand osteoarthritis score as a dependent variable and individuals affected vs. non-affected with the specific disease as an independent (grouping) variable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statistically significant evidence linking radiographic hand osteoarthritis and morbidities was found in patients with ischemic heart disease and gastrointestinal diseases. Our research indicates that individuals with ischemic heart disease have higher values of radiographic hand osteoarthritis, compared to lower values in individuals with gastrointestinal diseases. Additional research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms of the association between morbidity and osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Tel Aviv University, Kislev 2/10, 78721 Ashkelon, Israel. kalihman@zahav.net.il
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kalichman
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Malkin
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Livshits
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kobyliansky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index