Hand osteoarthritis is a common phenotype of osteoarthritis which affects about 70 % of the elderly population. Usually considered as a minor illness, it nevertheless leads to an important functional impairment. The mechanism of this disease is still poorly known. Furthermore there are 2 different subtypes : erosive and non erosive hand osteoarthritis from which mechanisms may differ.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study recruiting patients with hand osteoarthritis addressed in consultation of rheumatology and plastic surgery in Rouen University Hospital.

Two groups of patients will be studied: 20 patients with non erosive subtype of hand osteoarthritis and 20 patients with erosive subtype of hand osteoarthritis.

A clinical evaluation of hand osteoarthritis will be performed. Blood sample for proteomic analysis will be taken. Hand MRI and Bone Mineral Analyser will be performed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female gender

• Less than 70 years old

• Diagnosis of hand osteoarthritis according to ACR criteria ACR after exclusion of thumb base osteoarthritis:

  1. Hand pain, aching or stiffness most of the days during the preceding month
  2. Hard tissue enlargement of at least two of 8 selected joints *
  3. Hard tissue enlargement of at least two distal interphalangeal joint
  4. Swelling of fewer than three metacarpophalangeal joint
  5. Deformity of at least one of 10 selected joints * Patients have to fulfil criteria 1, 2 AND 3 + 4 OR 5 * the 8 selected joints are the second and third distal interphalangeal joint and the second and third proximal interphalangeal of both hands Then confirm by experts' committee

• Exclusively symptomatic treatment

• For women of child-bearing age, use of an effective contraceptive method

• French spoken and read

Exclusion Criteria:

• Male gender
• More than 70 years old
• Hemochromatosis
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Cristal induced arthritis
• Active diseases such as infection or cancer
• Use of DMARDs
• Pregnant or breast-feeding woman