Body Mass Index Affects Hand Pain in Osteoarthritis

A new study estimated the associations of body mass index with pain and the mediating role of inflammatory biomarkers in hand osteoarthritis.

In people with hand osteoarthritis, a higher body mass index was associated with greater pain severity in the hands, feet, knees, and hips, according to a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis that affects millions of people worldwide. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips, and spine.

Osteoarthritis - Causes, Symptoms, DIagnosis, Treatment, FAQs
Osteoarthritis is one of the commonest joint disorder and occurs as we age due to wear and tear of a joint. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint of the body.

‘The systemic effects of higher body mass index may play a larger role in mediating hand pain in osteoarthritis.’

Bodyweight is a modifiable risk factor for osteoarthritis pain, and weight loss may reduce pain, mechanical loading, and systemic inflammation.

The mechanical loading caused by obesity does not have the same effects on hand joints as on the weight-bearing joints in lower extremities, hand joints are well suited to study the possible systemic effects of obesity on pain.

Overweight and obesity induce a low-grade inflammatory state as adipose tissue produces inflammatory biomarkers, which may affect pain mechanisms.

Diet, Nutrition and Supplements for Osteo-Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis patients should consume a diet rich in natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients and avoid foods like sugar, saturated fats, and trans fatty acids.

To examine the association of body mass index (BMI) with pain in people with hand osteoarthritis, researchers estimated associations between BMI and hand pain by Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN, range 0-20) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS, range 0-10), foot pain by NRS (range 0-10), knee/hip pain by Western Ontario/McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC, range 0-20), painful total body joint count and pain sensitization in 281 study participants.

The observed associations of body mass index with hand pain and total body joint pain seemed to involve certain inflammatory markers (leptin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, respectively).

Certain Jobs can Put You at Increased Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis
Heavy physically demanding occupations and occupational activities can increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Agriculture workers, construction workers, miners, service workers, houseworkers and cleaners are at increased risk.

The study results highlight the complexity of pain in hand osteoarthritis. Obesity is not only leading to pain through increased loading of joints in the lower extremities but seems to have systemic effects leading to pain in the hands and overall body.

Bee Venom May Heal Osteoarthritis and Parkinson�s Disease
Angry honeybees produce a richer, better, and more protein-dense bee venom than docile ones, which could further help in the fight against Parkinson's and osteoarthritis.

Source-Medindia