Hand Strength in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients: its correlation with clinical and radiological variables

: Background: In about 80-90 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the hands are affected. causing discomfort, stiffness, deformity, limited range of motion, and muscular weakening that have a significant impact on physical functioning and activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to assess hand strength in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and see how it correlated with clinical and radiological characteristics. The participants in this study were 50 RA patients as defined by the criteria of ACR/EULAR 2010, another 50 seemingly healthy participants of similar age and sex were used. Hand Strength was assessed using with Jual hand dynamometer and radiological evaluation by Plain hand and wrist radiography were taken (P-A) and lateral. Hand Strength measured with a hand dynamometer was substantially greater in healthy controls. Health assessment questionnaire, score ranged from (0.05) to (4.50) with an average of (1.06 ±0.58). disability of the shoulder, arm and hand score ranged from (5.80) to (85.80) with an average score of (49.25 ±19.28). Cochin Hand Function Scale score among studied RA patients ranged from (0) to (79) with an average of (34.38 ±19.28). Mean HS in right hands were (13.98 vs. 36.34), in left hands were (12.90 vs. 38.22) in RA patients. HS was significantly higher among studied RA patients with no Loco-motor manifestations as compared with RA patients with Loco-motor manifestations in both right and left hands; (p-values= 0.021 & 0.047) in right and left hands respectively.