Arthritis Rheumatol

ObjectiveSymptomatic hand osteoarthritis (SHOA) is a common condition that affects hand strength and function, and causes disability in activities of daily living. Prior studies have estimated lifetime risk for symptomatic knee and hip osteoarthritis to be 45% and 25% respectively. The objective of this study is to estimate overall lifetime risk for SHOA and stratified lifetime risk by potential risk factors.MethodsWe analyzed data for 2,218 adults 65 45 years in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, a population-based prospective cohort study in residents of Johnston County, North Carolina. Data were collected in two cycles (1999\u20132004 and 2005\u20132010). SHOA was defined as having both self-reported symptoms and radiographic OA in the same hand. Lifetime risk, defined as the proportion of the population who will develop SHOA in at least one hand by age 85, was estimated from models using generalized estimating equations methodology.ResultsOverall, the lifetime risk of SHOA is 39.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 34.4, 45.3). Nearly one in two women (47.2%; 95% CI: 40.6, 53.9) will develop SHOA by age 85 compared with one in four men (24.6%; 95% CI: 19.5, 30.5). Race-specific estimates are 41.4% (95% CI: 35.5, 47.6) among whites and 29.2% (95% CI: 20.5, 39.7) among blacks. Lifetime risk among individuals with obesity (47.1%, 95% CI: 37.8, 56.7) is 11 percentage point higher than those without obesity (36.1%, 95% CI: 29.7, 42.9).ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the substantial burden of SHOA overall and in subgroups. Increased use of public health and clinical interventions is needed to address its impact.P60 AR049465/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United StatesU01 DP006266/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesP60 AR030701/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United StatesP60 AR064166/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United StatesCC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United StatesU01 DP003206/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States2018-06-01T00:00:00Z28470947PMC544925