Linking ICF components to outcome measures for hand osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review

Systematic review.

A patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) may have functional impairments, decreased quality of life, and productivity reductions. The International Classification of Functioning (ICF) provides a scientific basis for understanding health, outcomes, and determinants.

The purpose of this study was to critically appraise the current literature for outcome measures associated with the management of OA or RA to determine if they describe the components of the ICF that includes body functions and structures, activities, participation, environmental factors, as well as quality of life. The secondary purpose is to examine if patient satisfaction was addressed in the interventions associated with management of OA or RA.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the CINAHL and PubMed databases using the search terms joint protection, hand OA, hand RA, and assistive devices.

Six of the outcome measures were linked to body structures and body functions, three were associated with activity limitations and participation restrictions, one was linked to environmental factors, and two outcome measures addressed quality of life.

Practitioners should incorporate outcome measures that address environmental factors and quality of life as they relate to the ICF.

Most of the outcome measures associated with hand OA or RA are related to body structures and body functions or activity limitations and participation restrictions.