Arthritis & Rheumatism, Volume 63,
November 2011 Abstract Supplement
Abstracts of the American College of
Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals
Annual Scientific Meeting
Chicago, Illinois November 4-9, 2011.
Association of Pinch Strength with Hand Dysfunction, Finger Deformities and Contact Points In Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Shi1, Kenrin, Nampei2, Akihide, Ebina1, Kosuke, Murase1, Tsuyoshi, Yoshikawa1, Hideki, Hirao3, Makoto, Hashimoto3, Jun
Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
Osaka Rosai Hospital, Sakai, Japan
Osaka Minami Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
Background/Purpose:
Among disabilities in rheumatoid hands, weakness of pinch strength severely deteriorates hand function. This study aimed to investigate the association of pinch strength with hand dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as with several factors concerning thumb and index finger, such as deformities and contact points during pinch.
Methods:
Eighty-one hands of 42 outpatients with RA were examined. Hand dysfunction was evaluated by Japanese version of Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire in part, focusing on hand and finger function, as Hand Disability Index (HDI). Pinch strength was measured by pinch gauge, and was analyzed in relation to HDI as well as deformities and contact points during tip pinch in thumb and index finger.
Results:
Average pinch strength was 1.05 kg in tip pinch, 1.55 kg in key pinch, and 1.48 kg in three-digit pinch, all of which demonstrated significant negative correlations with HDI. Tip pinch strength was significantly weaker in hands with volar dislocation of metacarpophalangeal joint of index finger than in those without, while that in hands with mutilated deformity of thumb demonstrated significant weakness. Tip pinch strength was the maximum with thumb contact at the pulp and with index finger at the apex, whereas abnormal contact points demonstrated significant weakness.
Figure. Correlation of hand disability index and pinch strength.
Conclusion:
Since pinch strength significantly correlated to hand function, it is important to arrange good alignment with favorable contact points in thumb and index finger, not only in conservative management but also in planning of reconstructive surgeries of rheumatoid hands.
To cite this abstract, please use the following information:
Shi, Kenrin, Nampei, Akihide, Ebina, Kosuke, Murase, Tsuyoshi, Yoshikawa, Hideki, Hirao, Makoto, et al; Association of Pinch Strength with Hand Dysfunction, Finger Deformities and Contact Points In Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. [abstract]. Arthritis Rheum 2011;63 Suppl 10 :1571
DOI:
