Report from the Hand Osteoarthritis Working Group at OMERACT 2018: Update on Core Instrument Set Development

Objective: To evaluate hand osteoarthritis tools for core instrument set development.

Methods: For OMERACT 2018, a systematic literature review and advances in instrument validation were presented.

Results: Visual analog and numerical rating scales were considered valuable for pain and patient’s global assessment, despite heterogeneous phrasing and missing psychometric evidence for some aspects. The Modified Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain scale was lacking evidence. The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire had advantages above other pain/function questionnaires. The Hand Mobility in Scleroderma scale was valid, although responsiveness was questioned. Potential joint activity instruments were evaluated.

Conclusion: The development of the core instrument set is progressing, and a research agenda was also developed.