Gout Significantly Impairs Hand Function, Comparable to Rheumatoid Arthritis, suggests study
Researchers have found in a new study that gout severely affects hand function, reducing grip strength, endurance, and dexterity due to joint and tissue changes. The level of manual impairment is nearly as significant as that seen in rheumatoid arthritis.
The aim of the study was to compare the hand function (grip strength and grip endurance, manual dexterity, and perceived hand functional disability) of participants with gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and healthy control.
Grip strength and grip endurance were assessed using a hand dynamometer, while manual dexterity was evaluated through the Nine-Hole Peg Test. Perceived hand functional disability was measured using the Duruöz Hand Index.
Results: The grip strength was similar between gout and healthy control (p>0.05). Dominant and non-dominant grip endurance in gout were lower than healthy control (p=0.008, p=0.001). The dominant placing, removing, and total Nine-Hole Peg Test time of gout compared to healthy control were higher (p=0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001).
The non-dominant placing, removing, and total Nine-Hole Peg Test time of gout were higher than healthy control (p=0.002, p=0.004, and p=0.002). The Duruöz Hand Index in gout was higher than healthy control (p=0.002), but lower than rheumatoid arthritis (p=0.008).
The findings indicate that individuals with gout experience impairments in grip strength, manual dexterity, and perceived hand function. Assessing hand function during clinical examinations of patients with gout should be considered.
Reference:
Mete O, Apaydin H, Varol F, Gülöksüz EGA, Pamukcu M. Hand function in gout: a comparative study with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2025 Jul 7;71(6):e20250054. doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.20250054. PMID: 40638474; PMCID: PMC12245048.
