Study: Occupation, Activity Do Not Affect Risk of Hand Arthritis

Occupation, activity earlier in life and cigarette smoking do not affect the incidence of hand arthritis, according to Australian researchers.

Smoking may actually decrease the risk of Heberden's nodes, growths about the size of a pea or smaller found on the ends of the fingers in patients with osteoarthritis.

Researchers conducted a study of 522 subjects from 101 Tasmanian families (348 women, 174 men). Hand osteoarthritis was assessed, including scoring for Heberden's nodes. A questionnaire collected information about physical activity, sport participation, occupation and smoking history.

According to the study published in the Journal of Rheumatology, women had a higher prevalence of hand osteoarthritis and the increase with age was significantly higher for women. Patients who had ever smoked had less frequent and less severe Heberden's nodes, but not less severe osteoarthritis.

The patient's recollection of occupation, physical activity, and sport participation between the ages of 20 and 40 had no link with the prevalence or severity of hand osteoarthritis.

Other sources: Journal of Rheumatology