Weight Change Not Associated with Hand Osteoarthritis Progression and Pain

A recent study found the association between weight change and the development of hand osteoarthritis (OA) was investigated. The study published in the Arthritis Care & Research assessed if weight loss or gain have any bearing on the incidence and progression of hand OA along with the development and resolution of hand pain.

The study from the Osteoarthritis Initiative involved a total of 4,598 participants but excluded the individuals with cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or a body mass index under 18.5 kg/m2. The study analyzed weight change from baseline to the 4-year follow-up, as well as its impact on radiographic hand OA and hand pain over an 8-year period utilizing the multivariable logistic regression.

The results found no statistically significant relationship between weight change and the investigated outcomes. For instance, for every 5% weight loss, the odds ratios for the incidence and progression of radiographic hand OA were 0.90 and 0.92, respectively, with confidence intervals that ranged from 0.67 to 1.23 and 0.84 to 1.00. Also, for each 5% weight loss, the odds ratios for the development and resolution of hand pain at the 8-year follow-up were 1.00 and 1.07, respectively, with confidence intervals from 0.92 to 1.09 and 0.91 to 1.25.

The outcomes of this study found no compelling evidence to suggest a strong link between weight change and the risk of developing or progressing radiographic hand OA over a 4-year period. Also, the research did not find any significant association of the development or resolution of hand pain with weight change over a timeframe of 8 years. The weight management remains critical for overall health and well-being, while its direct impact on hand OA progression may be more precise than previously established. Further research may improve the understanding of the complex link between weight change and osteoarthritis development in different joints of the body.

Source:

Salis, Z., Driban, J. B., McAlindon, T. E., Eaton, C. B., & Sainsbury, A. (2024). Association of Weight Loss and Weight Gain With Structural Defects and Pain in Hand Osteoarthritis: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative. In Arthritis Care & Research. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.25284