In both hand osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis in other joints, it is common for patients to experience stiffness in the affected joints. As known, there are several other joint diseases, and a diagnosis whose symptoms often include stiffness, particularly prolonged morning stiffness, is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Which disease being discussed and potentially diagnosed can vary depending on whether the morning stiffness is considered short or long-lasting. Short-duration stiffness is usually seen as a symptom of osteoarthritis, while prolonged stiffness is a common symptom of RA.
In the current study, researchers have investigated whether prolonged morning stiffness is also prevalent among patients with primary hand osteoarthritis. Participant data was collected from another study called HOSTAS, which took place between 2009 and 2015. The patients were diagnosed with primary hand osteoarthritis by a rheumatologist.
The researchers describe morning stiffness as something difficult to define, and they note that previous studies describing stiffness/morning stiffness in osteoarthritis patients are limited, despite the significant impact of these symptoms on patients.
The study reveals that prolonged morning stiffness appears to be present even in cases of hand osteoarthritis and is associated with negative health factors such as greater physical function impairment and more pain compared to those without prolonged morning stiffness. The study also indicates greater joint damage in X-rays among those experiencing prolonged stiffness. Among the participants in the study, 87% reported experiencing morning stiffness. Of these, 46% reported experiencing morning stiffness for less than 30 minutes, 24% for 30-60 minutes, and 17% reported experiencing morning stiffness for 60 minutes or more.
Furthermore, the researchers argue that hand osteoarthritis should not be ruled out directly in patients with prolonged morning stiffness. They also emphasize the need for further research to confirm their findings.
If you wish to access the full study, it is available here. (Link to Osteoarthritis and Cartilage opens in a new tab).
