Definition and epidemiology of osteoarthritis of the hand: a review

The hand is a common site of peripheral joint involvement in osteoarthritis (OA) and although often underestimated as a cause of disability, the effect on quality of life from limitations in performing activities of daily living such as dressing and feeding may be considerable. Hand OA may also be an important indicator of a systemic tendency to OA which may involve weight bearing joints, notably the hips and knees. (1) The definition of hand OA, particularly for epidemiological studies, has undergone reassessment and revision over the last few years. In this paper we examine the issues relating to this and consider the epidemiology of hand OA.