Outcomes of Treatment for Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis

Hand osteoarthritis is a frequent condition in the middle-aged and elderly population with a prevalence of up to 76%. After the distal interphalangeal joints, the trapeziometacarpal joints are the most affected joints of the hand. Symptoms such as pain, stiffness, deformity, loss of grip strength, as well as reduction of joint mobility, are affecting the overall hand function and patients' quality of life. Numerous studies have evaluated different surgical and conservative interventions for treating patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC OA) with both interventions found to be effective in reducing pain and increasing function. To date, there is only little evidence about the characteristics and outcomes of patients who receive a conservative or a surgical treatment for TMC OA. The analysis should focus on which factors contribute to either a conservative or a surgical treatment, and if these patients differ regarding personal or health-related factors. Furthermore, no data about the economic consequences of a resection interposition suspension arthroplasty are available which highlights the need for a financial analysis of this procedure with respect to the benefit for the patient and cost bearers.

Besides objective parameters, such as strength and range of motion, the evaluation of patient satisfaction as well as the fulfilment of preoperative expectation is becoming increasingly important as outcome measures. However, there is no standardized instrument available for measuring satisfaction, expectations and their fulfillment for TMC OA patients.

For measuring outcomes of OA, a core set for outcome measures for OA trials (hip, knee, hand) was developed at the OMERACT III conference. It comprised of the assessment of pain, physical function, patients' global condition and joint imaging. Furthermore, the evaluation of quality of life is recommended, but the specific items of this core set for TMC OA patients still remain to be defined.

The main objective of the study is the evaluation of the outcomes following treatment for TMC OA using a set of variables covering all OMERACT categories as well as the dimensions of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Secondary aims are the analysis of the determinants of patient satisfaction with the treatment result, the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), which has not yet been established in TMC OA patients, as well as the economic impact associated with TMC OA.

In order to achieve these objectives, a prospective cohort study including patients with TMC OA will be conducted, regardless of if they will have surgery or not. A total of 100 surgically treated patients will be analysed during a one-year inclusion period and all conservatively treated patients will also be analysed during the same time. Follow up examinations will take place at 3, 6 and 12 months for all patients using a standardized set of objective as well as subjective outcome measurements including the MHQ.