Outcomes After First-line Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis

According to international guidelines, exercise, education and splinting (if needed) should constitute first-line treatment for people with hand osteoarthritis (OA). However, few studies have investigated the outcomes of such treatment in individuals with hand OA. In this retrospective register-based study we will investigate the outcomes of 3-months participation of first-line treatment for hand OA using data from the Swedish Osteoarthritis register (SOAR). Outcomes will be self-reported change in pain, pain frequency, health-related quality of life, physical activity, fear of movement and willingness for joint surgery between baseline and three months follow-up. In addition, we will investigate if potential improvements remain at 12 months.

Statistical analysis Changes in continuous variables between baseline and the two follow-ups (3 and 12 months) will be analyzed using paired T-test. Changes in proportions in the categorical variables will be analyzed using McNemars test for pairwise comparisons. Standardized effect sizes will be reported as Cohen's d with the following cut offs: 0.2=small, 0.5=medium and 0.8=large effect size. All outcomes will be analyzed separately for females and males.

In this study we will include all participants registered in SOAR fulfilling the eligibility criteria outlined below (n>1000) and consequently no power calculation was performed.

Inclusion criteria

• 1) a clinical diagnosis of hand OA, 2) Participated for three months in the program 3) reported any of the included outcomes at both baseline and at 3 months follow-up.

Exclusion criteria

None

-