Grip strength and torquometry in the assessment of hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Hand function was studied in 33 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Grip strength and torquometry, two distinct quantitative indices of grip, each correlated well (p less than 0.001) with the score obtained in an occupational therapy assessment of hand function both in the presence of active synovitis and chronic joint deformity. Grip strength correlated better with certain hand skills and torquometry with others, the relative relationships often being predictable from the type of grip entailed.