Biopsychosocial Determinants of Hand Function and Its Trajectories Over Five Years in Patients With Hand Osteoarthritis
Authors' conclusion
Hand function varies greatly in patients with hand OA. LCGA identified four longitudinal patient groups, of which two showed an unfavorable course of hand function over five years. Hand function was characterized by disease characteristics, including structural damage and psychosocial determinants.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with primary hand osteoarthritis (OA), Hand Osteoarthritis in Secondary Care study (86.1% women; mean age 61.0 years)301 with five-year follow-up data
- Participants
- 538 patients
- Outcome
- Hand function trajectories (AUSCAN function subscale, range 0-36; higher scores worse)
- Follow-up
- Five years
Methodological detailslatent class growth analysis, multivariable linear and multinomial logistic regression
- Latent class growth analysis
- Multivariable linear and multinomial logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Hand function trajectories (AUSCAN function), Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA)
- Number of hand function trajectories identified
- 4
- Worst trajectory: baseline function score
- 23.69 (95% CI 22.04-25.61)
- Worst trajectory: slope
- 0.36 (95% CI 0.03-0.69)
- Worst trajectory: mean decrease over five years
- 1.82
- Second-worst trajectory: baseline function score
- 16.87 (95% CI 15.41-18.34)
- Second-worst trajectory: slope
- 0.38 (95% CI 0.01-0.74)
- Second-worst trajectory: mean decrease over five years
- 1.88
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Baseline hand function (AUSCAN function, 0-36)
- Mean AUSCAN function (SD 8.4)
- 15.6
- Cross-sectionally associated with AUSCAN pain, grip strength, hand mobility and illness perception consequences
- Multivariable analysis
Original publication
Biopsychosocial Determinants of Hand Function and Its Trajectories Over Five Years in Patients With Hand Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 12 May 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →