Progression of hand osteoarthritis over 2 years: a clinical and radiological follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the course of hand osteoarthritis over 2 years by currently available outcome measures.


METHODS
189 participants of the Genetics, Arthrosis and Progression (GARP) study with hand osteoarthritis were followed for 2 years. Self-reported hand pain and functional limitations were assessed with the Australian/Canadian osteoarthritis hand index (AUSCAN LK 3.0). Pain intensity upon lateral pressure in the interphalangeal and thumb base joints was graded on a four-point scale. Osteophytes (0-3) and joint space narrowing (JSN) (0-3) was scored at baseline and after 2 years in interphalangeal and thumb base joints. Standardised response means (SRM) were calculated.


RESULTS
172 (91%) patients completed the 2-year follow-up (mean age 60.5 years, 78.5% women). Statistically significant increases in self-reported pain and function scores, in pain intensity scores as well as in osteophyte and JSN total scores were seen over 2 years. SRM were 0.25, 0.23, 0.67, 0.34 and 0.35, respectively, for self-reported pain and function scores, pain intensity scores, osteophyte and JSN total scores. Radiological progression was not associated with changes in self-reported pain and function. Women in an early post-menopausal stage were especially at risk of progressing radiologically.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently available outcome measures were able to assess progression over the relatively short time period of 2 years. Radiographic outcomes were more responsive than self-reported outcomes. Pain intensity upon lateral pressure seems to be a responsive measure but needs validation.
Botha-Scheepers
S
S
Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Rheumatology, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Riyazi
N
N
Watt
I
I
Rosendaal
F R
FR
Slagboom
E
E
Bellamy
N
N
Breedveld
F C
FC
Kloppenburg
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D054850:Osteophyte / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017698:Postmenopause; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors