Abstract
BackgroundHand photography has been used in a number of studies to determine the presence and severity of hand osteoarthritis (HOA). The aim of this study was to present age and gender specific prevalences of HOA diagnosed by this method.MethodsSix thousand three hundred forty three photographs (from 3676 females and 2667 males aged 40–96) were scored for hand osteoarthritis by a 0–3 grade (0 = no evidence of OA, 1 = possible OA, 2 = definite OA and 3 = severe OA) for each of the three main sites, distal interphalangeal joints (DIP), proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP) and thumb base (CMC1). An aggregate score of 0–9 was thus obtained (HOASCORE) to reflect the severity of HOA in each case.ResultsDIP joints were most commonly affected, followed by the thumb base and the PIP joints. Having definite DIP joint OA starts at a younger age compared with the other two sites, and there is a marked female preponderance in the age groups from 55 to 69, but after 70 the gender differences are less marked and the prevalence is fairly stable. PIP joint prevalence also indicates a female preponderance from 60 to 79. Thumb base OA has a more marked female preponderance and a rising prevalence thoughout life. The prevalence of individuals with no evidence of photographic OA (HOASCORE = 0) drops from 88% to 57% between the age categories 40–49 and 50–54 and decreased to 33% in the 70–74 age group with a slower decline after that age.DIP and PIP prevalence were strongly associated with each other with an OR of 16.6(12.8–21.5),p < 0.001 of having definite OA at the other site. This was less marked for the thumb base with an OR of 2.2(1.8–2.7, p < 0.001), and 2.7(2.0–3.5, p < 0.001) of having definite DIP or PIP HOA respectively.ConclusionsThe prevalence of hand OA in DIP, PIP and thumb base joints obtained by the photographic HOASCORE method is higher in women and increases after the age of fifty. These results are in line with those obtained by clinical examination and radiography. The advantage of the method lies in easy applicability and low cost.
Highlights
Hand photography has been used in a number of studies to determine the presence and severity of hand osteoarthritis (HOA)
Each of the three joint sites, distal interphalangeal joints (DIP), proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP) and thumb base were scored for HOA by the author as previously described on a 0–3 scale for each
For the PIP joints affection of more than 1 joint was required for a score of 2, but for the thumb base, unilateral severe involvement was sufficient for severe OA classification
Summary
Hand photography has been used in a number of studies to determine the presence and severity of hand osteoarthritis (HOA). Hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is a common condition that is associated with pain and disability [1, 2]. Radiography constitutes the gold standard for diagnosis, but shows limited associations with pain and function [7, 8]. Other methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and isotope scans may be more dynamic and informative with regard to individual joints and disease activity [9,10,11]. Our group presented a study standardizing the use of hand photographs for the diagnosis and severity of HOA in the elderly, using clinical examination and radiography as reference [8]. Subsequent studies have indicated that this method of photographic scoring system is reliable and a good indicator of hand
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
