Predictors of Stenosing Tenosynovitis in the Hand and Hand-Related Activity Limitations in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ursum J, Horsten NC, Hoeksma AF, Dijkmans BA, Knol DL, van Schaardenburg D, Dekker J, Roorda LD. Predictors of stenosing tenosynovitis in the hand and hand-related activity limitations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.ObjectivesTo identify early predictors of stenosing tenosynovitis in the hand and hand-related activity limitations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).DesignA longitudinal study of an inception cohort.SettingA large outpatient clinic.ParticipantsConsecutive patients who attended the Early Arthritis Clinic for at least 2 years and fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA at baseline and/or at the 1-year follow-up were invited to participate until 200 patients were included.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresStenosing tenosynovitis, assessed by means of a standardized physical examination. Hand-related activity limitations, assessed with the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH). A DASH score above the upper limit of the 95% range of the normative score was defined as abnormal. Prognostic factors: demographic and disease activity–related variables, radiographic damage, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) total score and category scores at the 2-year follow-up.ResultsThe mean age ± SD of the patients was 59.7±10.7 years (75% female). The mean time ± SD between the 2-year follow-up and the assessment of the dependent variables was 3.9±2.7 years. Stenosing tenosynovitis was present in 33%. The median (interquartile range) DASH score was 26.7 (10.8–42.5); 30% were abnormal. Stenosing tenosynovitis was predicted by the HAQ subscale regarding the use of hands (HAQ-hand) at the 2-year follow-up (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–4.2). Hand-related activity limitations were predicted by the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3–2.4) and HAQ-hand (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3–5.8) at the 2-year follow-up.ConclusionsStenosing tenosynovitis in patients with RA was predicted by HAQ-hand at the 2-year follow-up, and hand-related activity limitations were predicted by disease activity and HAQ-hand at the 2-year follow-up.