[Thumb arthritis yesterday and today. Epidemiologic comparison in an ancient population]

The aim of the study was to assess the rate of thumb osteoarthritis in an ancient population (before the industrial revolution) according to the age, the sex and the side affected, and to compare the results to the current epidemiologic data. This study was performed in bones from the convent graveyard of the Soeurs Grises de Beauvais (15th to 18th century). The rate of thumb osteoarthritis was assessed in 73 adult individuals (34 men and 39 women) divided into 2 age groups: 35-49 and over 50. The rates of thumb osteoarthritis in each group were compared according to different factors (age, sex, side affected). The statistical study showed a higher rate of thumb osteoarthritis in elder people in general, and in male but not in female individuals. The rate of bilateral thumb osteoarthritis was higher in women. However, no difference was found between both sides of human body whatever the age or sex. As for the female population, the results were identical those of the current data. However, there was a higher rate of thumb osteoarthritis in men of any age group. A functional fatigue could provide a higher rate of secondary thumb osteoarthritis since the women in this series (nuns), who were less affected by overwork, had a rate of primary thumb osteoarthritis identical to the rate found in the current literature.