Epidemiology of osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist

Abstract Introduction Osteoarthritis is more common than any other joint disease, and patients often ask what the cause is, enquiring about environmental causes, such as previous occupation. The available literature suggests that factors such as increasing age, gender (female), obesity and genetics may all lead to the development of osteoarthritis of the hand or wrist. It is a multifactorial, heterogenous and complex disease. This review article presents the evidence that aging, female gender and hereditary factors are the most compelling culprits in the culmination of the primary hand and wrist osteoarthritis. Materials and methods Extensive literature search was carried out. Results As people age, the risk of developing osteoarthritis increases, with over 90% of those over 80 years of age being afflicted. For patients over the age of 60 years, the rate at which osteoarthritis progresses also increases. The prevalence of osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb has been shown to increase more rapidly in women than in men, with earlier peak prevalence in women. There is questionable evidence about hormonal links and hand osteoarthritis, rather chromosomes, genes and human leukocyte antigen-types are linked. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist