Risk factors of hand osteoarthritis

In this current work we studied the different risk factors of hand osteoarthritis in order to identify them including occupational and individual risk factors and to assess the effect or influence on the development of hand OA. The study sample consist of two groups. The 1st group (Case) were100 subjects with hand OA, (24) were males and (76) were females with mean age (59.92)±(7.96). The 2nd group (Control) were 100 subjects without hand OA, (36) were males and (64) were females with mean age (55.01)±(8.93). They were recruited from Ibin Sina Teaching Hospital rheumatology outpatient clinic. The study was conducted between January and June 2011. A detailed history was taken from each subject with clinical and radiological examination for bilateral hands. The patients were classified according to Kellegren and Lawrence grading criteria of hand osteoarthritis. The result was that housewives with homework activities for more than 10 years were at high risk of developing HOA. Smokers, post menopausal women, BMI (overweight, moderate obesity), increasing age, low educational level and previous hand trauma carry a risk for the development of HOA. The sports and leisure activities were not associated with the risk of HOA.