In patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, hand joints range of motion and grip strength compared to healthy person

OA is one of the most common joint diseases in our country and in the world. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease characterized by synovial inflammation. Wrist and hand joints are the first and the most frequently involved joints in RA and OA. Hand joint involvement and functions are of the most important factors that determine the impacts of the disease on daily activities. Through this study, we aimed to determine the impact of the disease on the daily life activities by comparing hand grip strength and joint range of motion (ROM) in healthy individuals with OA and RA patients.A total of 166 individuals between the ages of 30-60 were included in this study; 52 of which are healthy female individuals, 62 of which are female patients who had been diagnosed with RA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria and 52 of which are female patients with OA who served as a control group have been followed at Firat University Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation?s Policlinic and Rheumatology Clinic. Electronic hand and finger dynamometer were measured grip and pinch strength. Standard and finger goniometer were used for ROM measurement of wrist and fingers. Circumference and diameter of wrist and length of hand were measured with standard anthropometric measurement tools. Disability was scored by using health assessment questionnaire (HAQ).Hand and finger grip strength, ROM measurement of wrist and fingers, and measurement of wrist circumference and diameter values of all patients and healthy groups were found statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Hand length measurements of patients and healthy individuals there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). HAQ scores correlated negatively with grip and pinch strength were found in all individuals.As a result, impairment of anatomic integrity of the patients with OA and RA, decreasing of grip and pinch strength and pain effected independent daily life activities of the patients.Key Words: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, grip strength, range of motion