Introduction: People with hand osteoarthritis (HOA) experience problems related to performance of Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Limited information is available on how their performance is affected.
Objectives: To explore ADL ability among people with HOA including potential differences across sex and HOA subtypes. Moreover, to determine the relationship between measures of self-reported and observed ADL ability.
Methods: In a cross-sectional design, data on self-reported (ADL-Interview)[ADL-I]) and observed (Assessment of Motor and Process Skills [AMPS]) ADL ability were collected. Descriptive analyses were carried out to describe participants’ ADL ability. Subgroups were created to explore potential differences. Correlational analyses were performed to explore relationships between measures of ADL ability.
Results: Participants (n=62) reported decreased ADL ability (ADL-I mean 2.0; SD 0.6) in relation to selfcare and household tasks. When observed, participants performed ADL tasks with increased physical effort (AMPS ADL motor ability mean=1.2 logits; SD 0.3), indicating an ADL ability below age expectations. Minor difference between groups based on sex and HOA subtypes were seen. Low relationships between self-reported and observed ADL ability (ADL-I and AMPS ADL motor (r=0.38); ADL-I and AMPS ADL process (r=0.24)) were found.
Conclusion: People with HOA experience decreased quality of ADL task performance. When observed mild to moderately decreased ADL task performance were seen, this below the mean age expectation. The results suggest that people with HOA need rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy. Also, since relationships between measures of self-reported and observed ADL ability were low to negligible, assessment of ADL ability, should involve a combination self-report and observation to inform intervention planning and outcomes evaluation.