Hand osteoarthritis and generalized osteoarthritis: a need for clarification

A proportion of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) have polyarticular involv ement and are categorized as having generalized OA (GOA). However, a widely accepted definition of GOA does not exist. The topography of affected join ts as well as the threshold number of affected joints used in defining GOA remain unidentified. According to number, site and clustering of affected j oints, various subtypes of GOA, possibly related to different genetic facto rs, may exist. Such subtypes have still to be clearly identified. Among the m, the association of hand and knee OA emerges as a probable subtype. Polya rticular involvement of hand joints is common, but may include various subt ypes of differing significance. Further studies are needed to clarify the d efinition of GOA. (C) 2000 OsteoArthritis Research Society International.