Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hand and wrist symptoms and
impairments, and the resulting activity limitations in relation to disease
duration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
DESIGN AND PATIENTS: A
cross-sectional study included 200 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis
in 4 categories of disease duration: 2-4, 4-6, 6-8 and >/= 8 years. Patients were
asked about the presence of various hand and wrist symptoms, and underwent a
standardized physical examination. To evaluate activity limitations, patients
completed the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and scored
their limitations on a Numerical Rating Scale (0 = no to 10 = maximum
limitation). RESULTS: Of all patients, 94% suffered from at least one symptom,
and 67% had at least one impairment, mostly from the earliest stages onwards. The
median standardized Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand score
(interquartile range) was 26.7 (10.8-42.5). The mean Numerical Rating Scale score
for activity limitations was 2.99 (standard deviation 2.50) in the dominant hand
and 2.59 (standard deviation 2.49) in the non-dominant hand. CONCLUSION: A high
prevalence of hand and wrist symptoms and impairments is often already present
after 2 years of disease duration. We recommend that physicians specifically
screen for these symptoms and impairments, starting 2 years after the diagnosis
of rheumatoid arthritis.

Langue : ANGLAIS