Generalised Osteoarthritis Exacerbates Pain and Disability in Hand Osteoarthritis: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study

TL;DR

This study found that hand osteoarthritis often occurs with osteoarthritis in other joints, which may lead to more pain and disability.

Contribution

The study highlights the importance of considering generalized osteoarthritis when assessing hand osteoarthritis.

Findings

59% of patients with hand osteoarthritis had OA in additional joints like knees, spine, and hips.

Patients with generalized OA showed trends of higher pain and greater functional impairment, though not statistically significant.

Strongest correlation was found between FIHOA and VAS in generalized OA patients.

Abstract

Hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is common in older adults and often coexists with osteoarthritis (OA) in other joints.

To determine whether HOA occurs in isolation or as part of generalised OA, and to assess the impact of coexisting joint involvement on pain and functional outcomes.

This retrospective study included 75 patients with radiographically confirmed HOA seen between January and June 2019. Patients were classified as having isolated HOA (n = 31) or generalised OA (n = 44). Pain and function were assessed using VAS, FIHOA, and HAQ. Non-parametric tests with p-values and 95% confidence intervals were used.

Isolated HOA was present in 41% of patients, while 59% had OA in additional joints—most commonly the knees (68%), spine (55%), and hips (32%). Patients with generalised OA reported slightly higher pain (median VAS 61 mm vs. 61 mm; difference 0 mm, 95% CI: –26 to 34; p = 0.55) and greater functional impairment (median HAQ 1.0 vs. 0.75; difference 0.25, 95% CI: 0.0 to 0.5; p = 0.10), though differences were not statistically significant. Significant positive correlations were observed between FIHOA, VAS, and HAQ, strongest between FIHOA and VAS in generalised OA (rho = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.86; p < 0.001).

HOA frequently coexists with OA in other joints and may contribute to greater pain and disability, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment.