Symptomatic Hand Research Articles

Lifetime Risk of Symptomatic Hand Osteoarthritis: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project.

Symptomatic hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that affects hand strength and function, and causes disability in activities of daily living. Prior studies have estimated that the lifetime risk of symptomatic knee OA is 45% and that of hip OA is 25%. The objective of the present study was to estimate the overall lifetime risk of symptomatic hand OA, and the stratified lifetime risk according to potential risk factors. Data were obtained from 2,218 adult subjects (ages ≥45 years) in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, a population-based prospective cohort study among residents of Johnston County, North Carolina. Data for the present study were collected from 2 of the follow-up cycles (1999-2004 and 2005-2010). Symptomatic hand OA was defined as the presence of both self-reported symptoms and radiographic OA in the same hand. Lifetime risk, defined as the proportion of the population who will develop symptomatic hand OA in at least 1 hand by age 85 years, was estimated from models using generalized estimating equations. Overall, the lifetime risk of symptomatic hand OA was 39.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 34.4-45.3%). In this population, nearly 1 in 2 women (47.2%, 95% CI 40.6-53.9%) had an estimated lifetime risk of developing symptomatic hand OA by age 85 years, compared with 1 in 4 men (24.6%, 95% CI 19.5-30.5%). Race-specific symptomatic hand OA risk estimates were 41.4% (95% CI 35.5-47.6%) among whites and 29.2% (95% CI 20.5-39.7%) among African Americans. The lifetime risk of symptomatic hand OA among individuals with obesity (47.1%, 95% CI 37.8-56.7%) was 11 percentage points higher than that in individuals without obesity (36.1%, 95% CI 29.7-42.9%). These findings demonstrate the substantial burden of symptomatic hand OA overall and in sociodemographic and clinical subgroups. Increased use of public health and clinical interventions is needed to address its impact.

The Effectiveness of Manual Therapy Versus Surgery on Self-reported Function, Cervical Range of Motion, and Pinch Grip Force in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Study Design Randomized parallel-group trial. Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common pain condition that can be managed surgically or conservatively. Objective To compare the effectiveness of manual therapy versus surgery for improving self-reported function, cervical range of motion, and pinch-tip grip force in women with CTS. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 100 women with CTS were randomly allocated to either a manual therapy (n = 50) or a surgery (n = 50) group. The primary outcome was self-rated hand function, assessed with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included active cervical range of motion, pinch-tip grip force, and the symptom severity subscale of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Patients were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the last treatment by an assessor unaware of group assignment. Analysis was by intention to treat, with mixed analyses of covariance adjusted for baseline scores. Results At 12 months, 94 women completed the follow-up. Analyses showed statistically significant differences in favor of manual therapy at 1 month for self-reported function (mean change, -0.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.1, -0.5) and pinch-tip grip force on the symptomatic side (thumb-index finger: mean change, 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.9 and thumb-little finger: mean change, 1.0; 95% CI: 0.5, 1.5). Improvements in self-reported function and pinch grip force were similar between the groups at 3, 6, and 12 months. Both groups reported improvements in symptom severity that were not significantly different at all follow-up periods. No significant changes were observed in pinch-tip grip force on the less symptomatic side and in cervical range of motion in either group. Conclusion Manual therapy and surgery had similar effectiveness for improving self-reported function, symptom severity, and pinch-tip grip force on the symptomatic hand in women with CTS. Neither manual therapy nor surgery resulted in changes in cervical range of motion. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1b. Prospectively registered September 3, 2014 at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02233660). J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(3):151-161. Epub 3 Feb 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7090.

Abstract 39. A Comparison of Open versus Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release within the Same Patient

Purpose: Several studies have shown less postoperative pain and faster improvement in grip and pinch strength with the endoscopic technique. The goal of this study was to prospectively examine subjective and functional outcomes, satisfaction, and complications after both ECTR and OCTR in the opposite hands of the same patient. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized study in which patients with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome underwent surgical release with both endoscopic and open techniques. The initial operative approach utilized was randomly assigned to the more symptomatic hand. Demographic data and functional outcomes were recorded pre- and post-operatively, including pain, 2-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing, thenar strength testing, grip strength, the carpal tunnel syndrome functional status and symptom severity scores, and overall satisfaction. Results: In the 30 patients that completed the study, there were no significant differences in any measure at any of the postoperative time points. Symptom severity and functional status scores were not significantly different between groups. Subjectively, 24/30 patients did state they preferred the ECTR, mostly citing less pain as their primary reason, although pain scores were not objectively different. Differences in overall satisfaction also lost significance at the study conclusion. There were no complications with either technique. Conclusion: Both techniques are well tolerated with no differences in outcomes. The added cost and equipment without added benefit makes ECTR usefulness questionable. The ability to perform OCTR wide-awake and outside of the operating room has lead the senior author to go back to OCTR in the majority of patients.

Dialysis access−associated steal syndromes

Symptomatic hand ischemia has been reported in occur in up to 20% of patients undergoing upper-extremity dialysis access procedures, and is a common cause of postoperative steal in the patient with end-stage renal disease. The majority of dialysis access steal syndromes do not require operative intervention, but severe ischemia associated with muscle paralysis can progress to limb amputation if left untreated. In this review, patient risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and management options for patients with dialysis access steal syndromes are discussed.

Association of Metabolic Factors with Symptomatic Hand Osteoarthritis in the Chinese Han Population Aged 40 Years and above.

Background:The relationship between hand osteoarthritis (HOA) and systemic metabolic factors is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of systemic metabolic factors including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis in symptomatic patients with HOA and the association between these systemic metabolic factors and symptomatic HOA in the Chinese Han population aged 40 years and above.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted on Chinese Han population aged 40 years and above in six centers in China. The sociodemographic features, lifestyle of the participants, and medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis were collected. The cases with hand symptoms underwent anteroposterior radiographic examination of both hands to obtain a diagnosis. The correlations between systemic metabolic factors and symptomatic HOA were analyzed using Logistic regression analysis.Results:Overweight (39.3% vs. 30.5%, P < 0.001), hypertension (34.7% vs. 18.6%, P < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (11.2% vs. 3.3%, P < 0.001), and atherosclerosis (19.8% vs. 8.3%, P < 0.001) were more prevalent in symptomatic patients with HOA than those in the population without HOA. Overweight (odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–1.65, P = 0.005), hypertension (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.18–1.83, P < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.74–3.45, P < 0.001) were associated with a higher prevalence of symptomatic HOA and the OR of symptomatic HOA significantly increased with the accumulated number of the three metabolic factors. Symptomatic HOA was associated with a higher prevalence of atherosclerosis (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.05–1.85, P = 0.023).Conclusions:Overweight, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were associated with a higher prevalence of HOA, showing cumulative effects. Atherosclerosis risk should be assessed in patients with HOA.

Quantitative sensory testing in classical trigeminal neuralgia-a blinded study in patients with and without concomitant persistent pain.

The diagnostic criteria of the third International Classification of Headache Disorders state that there should be no neurological deficits in patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) at clinical examination. However, studies demonstrating sensory abnormalities at bedside examination in TN patients have questioned this. Our aim was to examine whether TN patients without sensory abnormalities at neurological examination have sensory abnormalities at quantitative sensory testing (QST) and whether there were any QST differences between TN with and without concomitant persistent pain. Thirty-six TN patients were investigated with the standardized QST protocol by the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain. The investigators were blinded to presence of concomitant persistent pain and symptomatic side. Based on comparison to the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain controls, z scores were calculated to process frequency analyses and Z-profiles. We found increased mechanical detection threshold on the symptomatic side (47.2% vs 0%, P = 0.008), asymptomatic side (33.3% vs 0%, P = 0.011), and hand (36% vs 0%, P < 0.001) in TN compared with controls. The Z-profiles demonstrated increased mechanical detection threshold on the symptomatic side compared with the asymptomatic side (-2.980 vs -2.166, P = 0.040). Thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia was detected bilaterally in the face and the hand. Trigeminal neuralgia patients with concomitant persistent pain tended to have higher mean z score values compared to TN with purely paroxysmal pain indicative of decreased detection thresholds. Trigeminal neuralgia patients with no sensory abnormalities at neurological examination had generalized subclinical hypoesthesia, which was more pronounced on the symptomatic side, and thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia. This could indicate pain-induced hypoesthesia and sensitization induced by central mechanisms.

High prevalence of cardiovascular co-morbidities in patients with symptomatic knee or hand osteoarthritis

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of cardiovascular events (CVEs) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with symptomatic knee or hand osteoarthritis (OA).Method: A cross-sectional study conducted by rheumatologists in a primary care setting. Consecutive symptomatic patients with primary knee or hand OA were included and patients with soft tissue conditions served as the control group. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and CVEs consisting of myocardial infarction, angina, or cerebrovascular disease were recorded.Results: A total of 254 OA patients (184 with knee OA and 70 with hand OA) and 254 control patients were included. The frequency of obesity was higher in all OA groups and hypertension was more frequent in knee OA. MetS was significantly more frequent in patients with OA as a whole group and in knee or hand OA groups separately (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, and p = 0.007, respectively, vs. control group), with odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–4.55 in the OA group, OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.15–4.54 in the knee OA group, and OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.15–6.19 in the hand OA group. A higher prevalence of CVEs in the three OA groups was observed compared with the control group.Conclusions: A high frequency of MetS and CVEs was observed in OA patients in a primary care setting.

What Is the Impact of Comorbidities on Self-rated Hand Function in Patients With Symptomatic Trapeziometacarpal Arthritis?

The thumb trapeziometacarpal joint is one of the most common sites of arthritic degeneration prompting specialty care. Surgical treatment algorithms are based on radiographic arthritic progression. However, the pain and disability attributable to trapeziometacarpal arthritis do not correlate with arthritic stage, and depression has independently predicted poorer self-rated hand function both at baseline and after treatment in patients' atraumatic hand conditions. (1) Does thumb trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis impact both self-perceived general health and hand function? (2) Do depression and other comorbid conditions differentially impact patient-rated hand function based on the presence or absence of symptomatic trapeziometacarpal arthritis? (3) How do disease-specific, patient demographics and comorbid conditions impact self-reported hand function in patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis? This cross-sectional study compared patients with symptomatic trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (n = 47) with matched control subjects without a symptomatic hand condition (n = 47). All participants self-reported medical (including depression) and musculoskeletal comorbidities and completed the SF-36 and the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ). Bivariate statistical analyses contrasted the patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis to control subjects. Linear regression modeling determined the impact of subject demographic data, comorbidity burden, and examination findings on total MHQ scores in patients with trapeziometacarpal arthritis. Patients with scored trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis indicated poorer perceived general health on the SF-36 categories of limitations resulting from physical health (52 ± 29 versus 71 ± 31, mean difference 19 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 7-31], p = 0.003) and limitations resulting from emotional problems (50 ± 27 versus 67 ± 50, mean difference 17 [95% CI, 3-33], p = 0.022) compared with control subjects. Self-reported depression was associated with worse hand function (total MHQ score) in patients with trapeziometacarpal arthritis (69 ± 20 versus 49 ± 22: mean difference -20 [95% CI, -5 to-36], p = 0.012) but not in control patients (90 ± 13 versus 84 ± 20: mean difference -5 [95% CI, -8 to 19], p = 0.404). In multivariate modeling, depression (β -20, [95% CI, -5 to -34], p = 0.009) and upper extremity comorbidities (β -25, [95% CI, -10 to -40], p = 0.002) were both associated with reduced total MHQ scores in patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis, and those factors accounted for 34% of the variance in the MHQ score. When interpreting patient-rated hand disability in patients presenting with symptomatic trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis, scores should be interpreted after accounting for the presence of depression and upper extremity comorbidities. Level III, prognostic study.

Deficit in late-stage contingent negative variation provides evidence for disrupted movement preparation in patients with conversion paresis

Conversion paresis is the presence of unexplained weakness without detectable neuropathology that is not feigned. To examine the ‘abnormal preparation’ and ‘disrupted execution’ hypotheses proposed to explain the movement deficits in conversion paresis, electroencephalographic, electromyographic and kinematic measures were recorded during motor preparation and execution. Six patients with unilateral upper limb conversion weakness, 24 participants feigning weakness and 12 control participants performed a 2-choice precued reaction time task. Precues provided advance information about the responding hand or finger. Patients and feigners demonstrated similar diminished force, longer movement time and extended duration of muscle activity in their symptomatic limb. Patients showed significantly suppressed contingent negative variation (CNV) amplitudes, but only when the symptomatic limb was precued. Despite the similarity in performance measures, this CNV suppression was not seen in feigners. Diminished CNV for symptomatic hand precues may reflect engagement of an inhibitory mechanism suppressing cortical activity related to preparatory processes.

Which hand is worse? Concordance between patient perception and electrodiagnostic results in carpal tunnel syndrome.

In patients with clinically diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) the more symptomatic hand may be different from the more severely affected hand on electrodiagnostic testing. This study aims to determine the level of agreement which should be expected between these measures and consequently the level of suspicion for co-occurring pathology which is warranted if there is discordance. This was a single center retrospective review of 252 patients referred for upper extremity electrodiagnostic evaluation who were diagnosed subsequently with CTS. Comparison was made between the patient's perceived worst side and the more abnormal side on electrodiagnostic studies. We found a significant level of agreement (κ = 0.676) between patient symptoms and electrodiagnostic testing when identifying the side with more severe CTS. Discordance between patient perception and electrodiagnostic results regarding which hand is affected more severely in patients with CTS should alert the clinician to possible coexisting nonneurologic pathology and prompt regional musculoskeletal examination as indicated.

Finger Length Pattern as a Biomarker for Osteoarthritis and Chronic Joint Pain: A Population‐Based Study and Meta‐Analysis After Systematic Review

Type 3 finger length pattern (longer fourth digit than second digit) is influenced by prenatal androgens and has been studied previously as a biomarker for sexually dimorphic traits. Because osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic pain are known to be sexually dimorphic traits, we evaluated the association between finger length pattern and OA and chronic joint pain. This study was part of the Rotterdam Study, a prospective population-based cohort study. We examined 4,784 participants. Associations between type 3 finger length and radiologic knee, hip, and hand OA and chronic joint pain were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Our results for OA were combined with previously published data in a meta-analysis. Participants with type 3 finger length pattern had an odds ratio of 1.64 for hand OA (P = 1.06 × 10(-7)). No associations with radiologic knee or hip OA were observed in the Rotterdam Study. The meta-analysis of previously published data and our novel data showed a significant association between type 3 finger length pattern and clinical symptomatic knee OA, but no association was found with radiologic knee OA. In addition, within the Rotterdam Study, we observed an odds ratio of 1.41 for individuals having joint pain at multiple sites (P = 1.4 × 10(-3)). Type 3 finger length pattern, as an indicator of prenatal androgen exposure, was associated with having symptomatic knee OA, chronic pain, and hand OA. Therefore, it may be applicable as an easy measurable biomarker to identify susceptible subjects for these traits.

Risk Factors of Symptomatic Knee, Hand and Hip Osteoarthritis in a Suburban Area of İzmir City

Amac: Izmir ilinde yasayan, 40 yas ve uzeri populasyonda semptomatik diz, el ve kalca osteoartrit risk faktorlerinin saptanmasi. Gerec ve Yontemler: Calismamizda 522 kisi sistematik randomizasyon metodu ile secilmistir. Katilimcilara detayli bir anket uygulanarak, fizik muayeneleri yapilmistir. ACR’in diz/el/kalca osteoartriti klinik kriterlerinden bir tanesine sahip olan kisiler osteoartrit acisindan supheli olarak degerlendirilip, grafi cekilmek uzere davet edilmistir. Bulgular: Semptomatik diz, el ve kalca osteoartrit prevalansi yasla beraber artis gosterdi. Semptomatik diz osteoartriti kadin cinsiyet (OO:26,5, %95 GA: 7,6-92,3), obezite, morbid obezite (OO:5,8, %95 GA:2,1-16,2) ve duzenli namaz kilma (OO:2,6, %95 GA: 1,1-6,2) ile pozitif korelasyon gosterdi. Semptomatik diz ve el osteoartriti prevalansi postmenopozal kadinlarda daha yuksek bulundu (p<0,05). Ogrenim duzeyi dusuk bireylerde semptomatik diz osteoartritinin 1,5 kat daha fazla oldugu goruldu (p=0,649). Sigara icmeyenlerde 1,5 kat daha fazla osteoartrit olusma riski saptandi. Semptomatik diz osteoartriti olmayan bireylerin aktivite duzeyleri digerlerinden anlamli derecede yuksek bulundu. Sonuc: Semptomatik diz, el ve kalca osteoartriti icin risk faktorleri kadin cinsiyet, ileri yas, obezite ve postmenopozal donemdir. Dusuk egitim duzeyi, sigara icmemek, duzenli namaz kilmak, merdiven cikmak, isci olarak calismak ve sedanter yasam surmek gibi durumlar diz osteoartriti icin risk faktorleridir. Osteoartritle ilgili bir saglik politikasi olusturmak icin ulke genelinde daha buyuk populasyona sahip calismalara ihtiyac duyulmaktadir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Osteoartrit, epidemiyoloji, risk faktorleri Abstract

AB0818 Bone Mineral Density and Metabolic Risk Factors in Patients with Non-Erosive and Erosive Hand Osteoarthritis

BackgroundHand osteoarthritis (OA) and its severe subset erosive hand OA are common causes of pain and morbidity in western world. Few studies investigated differences in systemic bone loss and metabolic...

The effects of tocilizumab on osteitis, synovitis and erosion progression in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the ACT-RAY MRI substudy

ObjectiveTo examine the imaging-detected mechanism of reduction of structural joint damage progression by tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using MRI.MethodsIn a substudy of a randomised, double-blind, phase...

Contralateral sensory and motor effects of unilateral kaltenborn mobilization in patients with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: a secondary analysis.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine changes in pressure sensitivity and pinch strength in patients with thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA) in the contralateral hand after unilateral Kaltenborn mobilization on the symptomatic hand. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-nine females with dominant hand thumb CMC osteoarthritis participated (age 70–90), and were randomized into 2 groups. The experimental group received a Kaltenborn mobilization, and the placebo group received a nontherapeutic dose of intermittent ultrasound. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) at the thumb CMC joint, scaphoid bone and hamate bone and tip and tripod pinch strength were assessed before and after the intervention and 1 week (1st follow-up) and 2 weeks (2nd follow-up) after the intervention. [Results] Significant increases in PPT in the experimental group at all follow-up periods as compared with baseline data were found. The post-intervention between-group mean differences for PPT were 1.1 (95%CI 0.4–1.8) for the CMC joint, 1.1 (95%CI 0.2–2.1) for the scaphoid, and 1.5 (95%CI 0.5–2.8) for the hamate. The post-intervention between-group mean differences were 0.5 (95%CI 0.2–0.9) for the tip pinch and 0.3 (95%CI 0.1–0.6) for the tripod pinch. [Conclusion] The current secondary analysis found that Kaltenborn mobilization for the symptomatic hand reduces pressure pain sensitivity (PPT increases) and also produces motor changes in the contralateral non-treated hand compared with a placebo group.

Unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome caused by an occult ganglion in the carpal tunnel: a report of two cases.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) usually presents bilaterally and a secondary nature should be suspected in patients with unilateral symptoms, especially those with a long-standing history, and when the symptomatic hand shows severe neurophysiologic impairment, while the contralateral hand is neurophysiologically intact. Space-occupying lesions are known to cause CTS and the incidence of space-occupying lesions in unilateral CTS is higher than that of bilateral CTS. It is easy to detect a mass when it is palpable; however, occult lesions are usually overlooked. Whenever a patient presents with unilateral symptoms and unilateral neurophysiologic impairment, the possibility of a space-occupying lesion compressing the median nerve should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis. This study presents two cases with an occult ganglion in the carpal tunnel compressing the median nerve and causing unilateral symptoms of CTS. We stress on the importance of imaging studies in patients with unilateral symptoms that are usually not used in CTS. The reported patients were evaluated and magnetic resonance images revealed an intratunnel space-occupying lesion.

Impaired force control in writer's cramp showing a bilateral deficit in sensorimotor integration

Abnormal cortical processing of sensory inputs has been found bilaterally in writer's cramp (WC). This study tested the hypothesis that patients with WC have an impaired ability to adjust grip forces according to visual and somatosensory cues in both hands. A unimanual visuomotor force-tracking task and a bimanual sense of effort force-matching task were performed by WC patients and healthy controls. In visuomotor tracking, WC patients showed increased error, greater variability, and longer release duration than controls. In the force-matching task, patients underestimated, whereas controls overestimated, the force applied in the other hand. Visuomotor tracking and force matching were equally impaired in both the symptomatic and nonsymptomatic hand in WC patients. This study provides evidence of bilaterally impaired grip-force control in WC, when using visual or sense of effort cues. This suggests a generalized subclinical deficit in sensorimotor integration in WC.

Hand osteoarthritis in relation to mortality and incidence of cardiovascular disease: data from the Framingham Heart Study

ObjectivesTo study whether hand osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular events in a large community based cohort (Framingham Heart Study) in which OA, mortality and cardiovascular events...

Comparison of clinical burden between patients with erosive hand osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis in symptomatic community-dwelling adults: the Keele clinical assessment studies

Objective. To investigate in the general population the clinical impact of erosive OA in interphalangeal joints (IPJs) compared with symptomatic radiographic hand OA and inflammatory arthritis.Methods. Standardized assessments with hand radiographs were performed in participants of two population-based cohorts in North Staffordshire with hand symptoms lasting ≥1 day in the past month. Erosive OA was defined as the presence of an eroded or remodelled phase in ≥1 IPJ using the Verbruggen–Veys method. Radiographic hand OA was defined as the presence of ≥1 IPJ/first carpometacarpal joint with a Kellgren–Lawrence score of ≥2. Diagnoses of inflammatory arthritis were based on medical records. Hand pain and disability were assessed with the Australian/Canadian Hand Osteoarthritis Index (AUSCAN). Linear regression analyses were used to compare clinical determinants between groups and calculate mean differences with 95% CIs, adjusted for age and sex.Results. Of 1076 participants with hand symptoms [60% women, mean age 64.8 years (s.d. 8.3 years)]; 80 persons (7.4%) had erosive OA. The population prevalence of erosive OA in ≥1 IPJ was 2.4% (95% CI 1.8, 3.0). Persons with erosive OA reported more pain and disability than persons with symptomatic radiographic hand OA [adjusted mean difference 1.3 (95% CI 0.3, 2.3) and 2.3 (95% CI 0.4, 4.2), respectively]. Individuals with inflammatory arthritis (n = 44) reported more pain and disability than those with erosive OA [adjusted mean difference 1.7 (95% CI 0.05, 3.4) and 6.3 (95% CI 2.8, 9.9), respectively].Conclusion. While erosive OA has a greater impact than symptomatic radiographic hand OA in the general population, it is not as severe in terms of hand pain and disability as inflammatory RA.

Same wrist intervention via the cubital (ulnar) artery in case of radial puncture failure for percutaneous cardiac catheterization or intervention: The multicenter SWITCH registry

AimsThe radial approach is safer than the femoral for percutaneous coronary procedures. However its feasibility is lower, mainly for technical issues, often related to failure to puncture or cannulate the radial artery. The ulnar approach is a valid alternative to radial. We aimed to test the incidence, feasibility and safety of a direct homolateral ulnar approach in case of failed radial sheath insertion. Methods and resultsFive operators collected their 1-year activity (diagnostic and interventional) with focus on entry site. Entry site choice was left to operators' discretion. In case of failed radial sheath insertion, an attempt to cannulate the homolateral ulnar artery was mandated, if ulnar pulse was present. All patients in whom this attempt was performed were followed until discharge.Out of 2403 procedures (1271 interventions), the final successful entry site was radial in 66.5%, femoral in 31.0%, ulnar in 2.1% and brachial in 0.4%. Radial failure occurred in 117 patients (6.9%). In 75 patients, the radial failure was not due to sheath insertion (which was successful), but to lack of catheter support or to tortuosity of the subclavian/brachial arteries. In the remaining 42 (35.9% of all radial failures), a homolateral ulnar approach was attempted. A successful cannulation of the ulnar artery occurred in 36 patients (85.7%) with further performance of the complete procedure. Concerning local complications, 1 radial pseudo-aneurysm (treated with additional compression) occurred, while no cases of early hand ischemia were reported. ConclusionsIn this multicenter registry, in case of failed radial sheath insertion, switching directly to the homolateral ulnar artery for percutaneous coronary procedures is feasible and it appears to be safe, without cases of symptomatic hand ischemia.