Compare hand function at rheumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis

The aims of this study is to (1) compare hand function at rheumatic arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), (2) investigate the relationship between hand function, radiographic scores and other disease parameters in rheumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis patients and (3) to evaluate disease activity effect on hand disability in RA patients. Fifty six patients (47 women, 9 men) with RA and fifty one patients (47 women, 4 men) with hand OA were studied. Disease activity score 28 (DAS28) was calculated to evaluate disease activty in RA patients. Hand functions were assessed with hand grip strength, finger grip strength and Duruöz hand index at all patients. Physical function capacity was asssessed with Health Assesment Quastionnarie (HAQ), Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL), Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) at all patients. Patients' mood were assessed with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) in both groups. Radiographic assesment of hands joints was evaluated according to the modified Larsen score and modified Sharp score in RA patient and Kellegren-Lawrence score in OA patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of Duruöz hand index and finger grip strength, but there was statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of hand grip strength. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of generic and disease-specific measures in assessing health status and quality of life (excluding NHP fatigue, SF-36 general health, SF-36 vitality and SF-36 emotional role limitations). There was a significant correlation between Duruöz hand index, radiological scoring of joint damage and other clinical parameters in both groups. There was statistically significant difference between disease activity subgroups in RA patients in terms of hand functions. Although RA causes severe deformities on hand joints, also hand osteoarthritis may impair hand functions as rheumatic arthritis. Hand osteoarthritis affects activity of daily living, so hand osteoarthritis may cause disability. Keywords: Rheumatoid artrithis, hand osteoarthritis, duruöz hand index, functional capacity, disability