Muhammet Şahin ELBASTI, Muhammed KORKMAZ, Nevzat YESİLMEN
Rheumatology Quarterly - 2026;4(2):109-116
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical, functional, and radiological characteristics of hand osteoarthritis (HOA) and to assess their interrelationships. Methods: Between July 2024 and September 2024, a total of 44 women (22 with symptomatic HOA, mean age: 61.55 +/- 9.66 years; 22 control participants without symptomatic HOA, mean age: 60.59 +/- 8.42 years) were enrolled in the current study. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Grip and pinch strength were measured using a dynamometer and pinch meter. Pain intensity over the previous week was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). Functional disability was evaluated using the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) and the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN). The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) OA scoring system was used for radiological staging evaluation. Results: Sociodemographic characteristics were similar between groups (P > .05), except for longer morning stiffness duration in the HOA group (P = .009). Compared with controls, the HOA group had higher pain and disability scores and lower grip and pinch strength (all P < .05). In BH-FDR-adjusted analyses within the HOA group, DHI correlated negatively with bilateral grip strength and positively with AUSCAN pain, physical function, and total scores, while KL-total score correlated negatively with right-hand grip strength. In controls, no DHI correlations remained significant after BH-FDR correction, and KL-total score correlated only with left-hand grip strength. Conclusion: In this cohort, patient-reported functional measures, particularly the DHI, appeared to reflect functional burden more closely than radiographic grading alone in symptomatic HOA.
