title: The impact of digit-related radiographic osteoarthritis of the hand on grip-strength and upper extremity disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interpreting the impact of hand osteoarthritis (OA) on hand function is complicated owing to the multiple digits and joints in the hand.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We determined the impact of digit-related radiographic OA on hand function in patients 65 years or older.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated hand radiographs in 196 men and 182 women older than 65 years without shoulder or elbow pain who participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging. Using the Kellgren and Lawrence criteria, we graded the 15 joints in each hand from 0 to 4 for OA, and evaluated hand function by measuring DASH scores and grip and pinch strength of dominant hands. We performed multiple linear regression analyses to evaluate associations between hand functions and the sum of Kellgren and Lawrence grade of each digit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sums of Kellgren and Lawrence grades for thumbs and middle fingers were independently associated with grip strength, and the sums of the Kellgren and Lawrence grades for thumbs and index fingers were independently associated with pinch strength after controlling for age and sex. DASH scores were independently associated with OA of the thumb, or index or middle finger, but not with OA of the ring or small finger.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed cumulative effects of joint involvement and Kellgren and Lawrence grades of thumb and middle finger OA on grip strength, and thumb and index finger OA on pinch strength. Furthermore, OA of either of three radial digits was associated with more severe upper extremity disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, diagnostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyuk Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nam-Jong
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.forename: Jae-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Ki Woong
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Gong
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D052581:Pinch Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013933:Thumb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*