Arthritis and rheumatism
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Several investigators have speculated that mechanical stress might play an important role in the development of hand osteoarthritis (OA). Chopsticks, used universally as eating utensils in China, increase joint loading in the first through third fingers. We conducted a population-based survey among elderly Chinese individuals living in Beijing, to explore whether chopsticks use is associated with prevalent hand OA. ⋯ This epidemiologic study investigated the relationship of chopsticks use to hand arthropathy. The results suggest that chopsticks use is associated with an increased prevalence of OA in the IP joint of the thumb, and in the second and third PIP and MCP joints.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · May 2004
Progression of radiographic hip osteoarthritis over eight years in a community sample of elderly white women.
To describe progression over 8 years in a community-based sample of elderly women with radiographic findings of hip osteoarthritis (RHOA) with or without hip pain. ⋯ Among women recruited from the community, radiographic and clinical progression was greater in those with symptomatic RHOA, but still substantially less frequent than previously reported for hip OA patients in clinical settings. Asymptomatic RHOA and hips with an isolated finding of mild JSN (MJS of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm) were unlikely to progress over 8 years.