title: Upper limb functional capacity of working patients with osteoarthritis of the hands: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: METHODS
  A cross-sectional design was used.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the effects of osteoarthritis of the hands (OAH) on work ability in working patients with OAH.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to analyze the differences in upper limb functional capacity (ULFC) between working patients with OAH and healthy workers and to evaluate variables associated with ULFC and with self-reported disability (SRD) in working patients with OAH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one patients performed the ULFC Evaluation (ULFCE) and also completed 2 SRD measures. The patients' results were compared with the ULFCE results of 82 matched healthy workers from a reference database. Three sets of multivariate regression analyses were used to reveal the predictors of ULFC and SRD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients scored 12%-45% lower on all ULFCE tests (P values ranging from P P Discussion Working patients with OAH had a considerably lower ULFC compared with healthy workers. Female gender and the presence of OAH predicted lower ULFC. Pain and lower finger strength predicted worse scores on SRD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the case of professionals advising working patients with OAH, our results suggest that a careful evaluation of the ULFC and SRD is warranted. Subsequently, advice regarding exercises or adjustments at work can be given.
  
  
  METHODS
  3b.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: stefvanst@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vansteenkiste
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michiel F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Reneman
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pepijn J M
authors.initials: PJM
authors.lastname: van der Eerden
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Expertise Center of Health and Wellbeing, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Remko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soer
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pieter U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Corry K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: van der Sluis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
keywords: Hand strength; Osteoarthritis; Pinch strength; Self-report; Upper extremity; Work capacity evaluation