[Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in patients presenting with pain of hand joints].

Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis early in patients presenting with pain of hand joints facilitates a fast initiation of effective treatment and, in general, with better results than late initiation of treatment. The diagnosis is based on specific pattern recognition and makes distinguishing with osteoarthritis without laboratory testing or imagine studies possible. These 3 cases of patients presenting with joint pain of the hands show this clinical diagnostic process in detail.

Hand function is already reduced before RA development and reflects subclinical tenosynovitis.

Background: Clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) is characterised by arthralgia of small joints and considered a risk stage for development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it remains unknown if the function of the hands is already affected and what mechanisms underlie impaired hand-function in CSA.

Methods: We studied various measures of hand function in two CSA populations.

Development of radiographic classification criteria for hand osteoarthritis: a methodological report (Phase 2).

Objectives: In Phase 1 of developing new hand osteoarthritis (OA) classification criteria, features associated with hand OA were identified in a population with hand complaints. Radiographic findings could better discriminate patients with hand OA and controls than clinical examination findings. The objective of Phase 2 was to achieve consensus on the features and their weights to be included in three radiographic criteria sets of overall hand OA, interphalangeal OA and thumb base OA.

Validity and responsiveness of the Michigan Hand Questionnaire in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective: The aim was to assess the validity and responsiveness of the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ) in patients with SSc.

Methods: Data were gathered in connection with a randomized, controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of a 12-week multidisciplinary team care programme, including a hand function treatment module, with regular care. Hand function was evaluated by the MHQ (37 items, six domains: Function, Daily activities, Pain, Work, Aesthetics and Satisfaction) and other measurements, including the HAQ, Hand Mobility in Scleroderma, Sequential Occupational Dexterity Assessment (SODA), grip strength, pinch grip and modified Rodnan Skin Score.

Dynamic exercise programs (aerobic capacity and/or muscle strength training) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: An up-to-date overview of the effectiveness and safety of dynamic exercise therapy (exercise therapy with a sufficient intensity, duration, and frequency to establish improvement in aerobic capacity and/or muscle strength) is lacking.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of short-term (< three months) and long-term (> three months) dynamic exercise therapy programs (aerobic capacity and/or muscle strength training), either land or water-based, for people with RA. To do this we updated a previous Cochrane review (van den Ende 1998) and made categories for the different forms of dynamic exercise programs.

Responsiveness of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire--Dutch language version in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the responsiveness of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated in a multidisciplinary hand clinic.

Design: Observational study comparing the responsiveness of the MHQ with that of various other outcome measures for hand function.

Setting: Multidisciplinary hand clinic within a tertiary referral center for rheumatologic care.