Hand osteoarthritis phenotypes based on a biopsychosocial approach, and their associations with cross-sectional and longitudinal pain.

OBJECTIVE: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) pain is characterized as heterogeneous and multifactorial. Differences in pain may be explained by underlying phenotypes, which have not been previously explored DESIGN: Latent class analysis determined classes of participants with hand OA from the Nor-Hand study baseline examination (2016-17) based on a biopsychosocial framework. Outcomes were hand and overall bodily pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, 0-10) at baseline and follow-up (2019-21), The relations of the classes to pain outcomes at baseline, follow-up, and change over time were analysed in separate models by linear regression, using the overall healthiest class as reference. RESULTS: Five classes differing in radiographic hand OA burden and OA burden in the lower extremities by ultrasound, demographic factors, psychosocial burden and pain sensitization was identified. Persons with the least severe OA but higher burden of biopsychosocial factors reported the most hand pain (beta 3.65, 95% CI 2.53, 4.75). Pain was less pronounced in persons with the most severe hand OA but low burden of biopsychosocial factors (beta 1.03, 95% CI 0.41, 1.65). Results were similar for overall bodily pain and at follow-up. Changes in pain were small, but the association between a separate class defined by higher levels of biopsychosocial burden and pain changes was significant. CONCLUSION: The five hand OA phenotypes were associated with pain at baseline and 3.5 years later. The phenotype with the least OA severity, but higher burden of biopsychosocial factors reported more pain than the phenotype with the most severe OA, reflecting the symptom-structure discordance of the hand OA pain experience.

Comparative effectiveness of different placebos and comparator groups for hand osteoarthritis exploring the impact of contextual factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the pain relief effects of comparators (placebos and untreated control groups) in hand osteoarthritis trials and the impact of contextual factors. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL from inception to December 26, 2021. We included randomised controlled trials of people with hand osteoarthritis with a placebo or an untreated control group. We assessed the Risk of Bias with Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool version 2. Each comparator was contrasted with a null-arm, imputed as having a zero change from baseline with the same standard deviation as the comparator. We combined the standardised mean differences with a random effects meta-analysis. The contextual factors' effect was explored in meta-regression and stratified models with pain as the dependent variable. RESULTS: 84 trials (7262 participants) were eligible for quantitative synthesis, of which 76 (6462 participants) were eligible for the stratified analyses. Placebos were superior to their matched null-arms in relieving pain with an effect size of -0.51 (95% confidence interval -0.61 to -0.42), while untreated control groups were not. When analysing all comparators, blinded trial designs and low risk of bias were associated with higher pain relief compared to an open-label trial design and some concern or high risk of bias. CONCLUSION: The placebo response on pain for people with hand osteoarthritis was increased by appropriate blinding and a lower risk of bias assessment. Placebos were superior to a null-arm, while untreated control groups were not. Results emphasise the importance of using appropriate comparators in clinical trials. PROSPERO REGISTRATION ID: CRD42022298984.

The functional disabilities of the dominant and opposite hands in patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Hand involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is responsible for 75% of the overall disability but varies greatly among individuals. No study has yet compared the functionalities between the two hands of SSc patients. We thus evaluated the joint limitations and extent of skin involvement in the dominant and contralateral hands. METHODS: This prospective, descriptive, comparative single-centre study enrolled SSc patients diagnosed using the ACR/EULAR criteria. We assessed limitations in the joint range of motion during active and passive mobilisation; the first commissure opening angles; the Kapandji scale and Rodnan hand scores; the digital pressures; the finger brachial pressure indices; and the number of telangiectasias, calcinosis, digital ulcerations, and painful joints on each hand. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included. Spontaneous flexion joint limitations were significantly greater in the dominant hand (p<0.0001). The Kapandji score was lower (p<0.001) and the Rodnan hand score significantly higher, for the dominant hand (p<0.001). The digital pressure was similar between the hands. CONCLUSIONS: The dominant hand exhibited significantly more skin sclerosis and mean flexion deterioration, a lower Kapandji score, and a tendency toward reduced mean extension, compared with the other hand. No vascular pathology was noted in either hand. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results and to draw therapeutic conclusions.

The Effectiveness of Exercise-Based Rehabilitation in People With Hand Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of exercise-based rehabilitation programs compared with nonexercise intervention or no intervention for people with hand osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Intervention systematic review with meta-analysis. LITERATURE SEARCH: We searched 5 databases on July 23, 2023. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials that compared the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs that included an exercise component, with nonexercise intervention or no intervention for people with hand OA. DATA SYNTHESIS: Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: Fourteen trials were included in the meta-analysis (n = 1341 participants). In the immediate term (<24 weeks), there was low-certainty evidence of an effect of exercise-based rehabilitation on improving pain (13 trials; SMD = -0.65; 95% CI: -1.06, -0.25), function (11 trials; SMD = -0.35; 95% CI: -0.54, -0.15), and grip strength (14 trials; SMD = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.38). There was moderate-certainty evidence of an effect on reducing stiffness (7 trials; SMD = -0.33; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.16). There was low-certainty evidence of no effect on improving pinch strength and quality of life. For the long term (≥24 weeks), there was low-certainty evidence that exercise-based rehabilitation had no additional effect on improving pain, function, and stiffness. CONCLUSION: Exercise-based rehabilitation improved pain, function, stiffness, and grip strength in people with hand OA in the immediate term; the benefits were not maintained in the long term. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(7):1-11. Epub 20 March 2024. doi:10.2519/jospt.2024.12241.

Avaliação da destreza manual em indivíduos com artrite reumatoide / Evaluation of manual dexterity in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis

Objetivo: Analisar a destreza manual de pacientes com AR em função do nível de atividade da doença. Métodos: Foram avaliados 23 indivíduos com AR, com média de idade de 54,78 ± 12,54 anos. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a uma entrevista para coleta dos dados de identificação e história clínica, coleta de sangue para análise da Proteína C-Reativa, determinação do nível de atividade da doença por meio do Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) e avaliação da destreza manual pelo Moberg Picking-Up Test (MPUT). Para descartar problemas de sensibilidade tátil dos indivíduos, foi aplicado o teste de sensibilidade dos monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein. Resultados: Foi observado que o grupo classificado em moderada atividade da doença apresentou maior tempo para execução do MPUT com olhos abertos na mão dominante, quando comparado ao grupo em baixa atividade. O grupo em alta atividade da doença também demorou mais para realizar o MPUT com os olhos fechados na mão dominante, em comparação ao grupo em baixa atividade. Adicionalmente, houve uma correlação positiva entre o DAS-28 e o tempo de realização do MPUT com os olhos fechados na mão dominante. Conclusão: A destreza manual de indivíduos com AR pode estar prejudicada em função do nível de atividade da doença, repercutindo na dificuldade para a realização das atividades de vida diária. Estes dados podem contribuir para a determinação de estratégias de tratamento visando a melhoria da qualidade de vida de pacientes com AR

Objective: To analyze the manual dexterity of patients with RA based on the level of disease activity. Methods: The study evaluated twenty-three individuals with RA, of both sexes, aged 54.78 (± 12.54) years. All participants underwent an interview for data collection for identification and medical history, blood collection for dosage of C-reactive protein (CRP), determination of disease activity level through the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28), and evaluation of manual dexterity with the Moberg Pickup Test (MPUT). The Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments were applied to discard any problems of tactile sensitivity. Results: It was observed that the group ranked as having moderate disease activity took longer to perform the MPUT with the dominant hand and open eyes, in comparison with the group ranked as having low disease activity. The group ranked as having high disease activity also took longer to perform the MPUT with the dominant hand and closed eyes, in comparison with the group ranked as having low disease activity. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the DAS-28 and the time to perform the MPUT with the dominant hand and closed eyes. Conclusion: Manual dexterity can be impaired by the level of disease activity in individuals with RA, generating difficulties in performing activities of daily living. These results can contribute to identifying better treatment strategies in order to improve the quality of life of these patients

Rhupus syndrome

No abstract available.

Resonancia magnética de la mano en la artritis reumatoide. Revisión de la metodología y la utilidad en el diagnóstico, el seguimiento y el pronóstico / Magnetic resonance of the hand in rheumatoid arthritis. Review of methodology, and its use in diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis

El objetivo ideal del tratamiento en la artritis reumatoide (AR) es la supresión de la inflamación y evitar el daño estructural articular. Para medir la progresión de las lesiones estructurales en la AR disponemos de la radiología de las manos y los pies, que es el método tradicional. Sin embargo, la radiología sólo permite evaluar la alteración ósea (erosiones) e indirectamente el cartílago articular. Por ello, la resonancia magnética de las manos (RMm) presenta ciertas ventajas al permitir el estudio no sólo de la cortical ósea y el hueso medular, sino también de la membrana sinovial, las estructuras tendinoligamentosas y los tejidos blandos adyacentes, que suelen ser las estructuras que se afectan al inicio de la enfermedad. Además se ha demostrado más sensible que la radiología en la detección precoz de erosiones y en la predicción del daño óseo, lo que permite un rápido diagnóstico, instaurar un tratamiento adecuado y mejorar el pronóstico de los pacientes (AU)

The ideal aim of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to suppress synovial inflammation and to stop or reduce structural joint damage progression. To evaluate joint damage in RA, radiographic assessment of hands and feet is the traditional method. Nevertheless, plain film radiography can only evaluate bone damage (erosion) and, indirectly, joint cartilage. Magnetic resonance imaging presents important advantages since allows to study, not only the cortical bone and the marrow, but also the synovial membrane, tendon and ligament structures, and adjacent soft tissue that usually are involved in early disease. Moreover, hand-magnetic resonance (h-MRI) has shown to be more sensitive than plain radiography in detecting early erosions and predicting progression of bone damage, allowing a rapid diagnosis and to start the most efficient therapy as well as to achieve better outcomes for this disease (AU)