Clinical signs of early osteoarthritis: reproducibility and relation to x ray changes in 541 women in the general population

Article Abstract:

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is generally associated with aging, but a precise definition of this condition has not been established. The disease is diagnosed detecting joint changes that are visible by X-ray. Patients may have X-ray changes without symptoms, but it is disputed whether this condition should be considered along with symptomatic osteoarthritis. It is important to define the disease clinically, by medical signs and symptoms, so that the disease can be reliably diagnosed. To determine whether clinical signs alone are a reliable way to recognize osteoarthritis, a group of women, aged 45 to 65 (the age group with the highest incidence of new diagnoses of osteoarthritis), were studied. The prevalence of signs associated with osteoarthritis and the comparison of these signs with X-ray changes were assessed. The methods used for diagnosis were first tested in a group of 41 women, and the most reliable signs were then used to evaluate 541 more women. Bony swelling and tenderness of the finger joints, and swelling, tenderness, and pain of movement of the carpometacarpal joints (joint between the wrist and hand bones), plus soft tissue swelling and crepitus (grating sound) in the knee joint were the most reliable signs. The test was better in identifying subjects without osteoarthritis than identifying those with the disease. These signs may be useful in screening large populations for osteoarthritis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Choosing the best method for radiological assessment of patellofemoral osteoarthritis

Article Abstract:

The best way to evaluate patients for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee may be with a skyline view X-ray. Skyline view X-rays are taken from above with the patients lying on their back. Doctors took X-rays of 504 women's knees from the side in a standing position and took skyline view X-rays of 356 of these knees. They also questioned these women about joint pain. Skyline view X-rays were more reproducible than those taken from the side when evaluating the distance between the joints. Images taken from this view were also better able to identify patients with joint pain (52.8%) than the view from the side (30%). There was a strong association between bony outgrowths as seen on skyline view X-rays and joint pain. There was not a similar association between patients with narrowed joint spaces and pain as seen with either view.

Evaluation, Radiography, Medical, Medical radiography, Femur, Patella

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Is hormone replacement therapy protective for hand and knee osteoarthritis in women? The Chingford study

Article Abstract:

Post-menopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) appear to have a reduced risk for developing osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. There does not seem to be a similar benefit for OA of the hand. HRT use and X-ray evidence of OA in the knee and hand were compared among 606 post-menopausal women aged 45 to 64 years. Women currently taking HRT were less likely to have OA in the knee compared to those women who had previously taken or never taken HRT. The benefit diminished after HRT was stopped. No other factors seemed to account for the association.

Health aspects, Prevention, Hormone therapy, Estrogen, Estrogens

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