ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SERUM URIC ACID LEVEL AND NODAL OSTEOARTHRITIS IN A SAMPLE OF MIDDLE AGED IRAQI FEMALES

Background: Nodal osteoarthritis (NOA) a subset of OA, is characterized by polyarticular interphalangeal and thumb base OA, Heberden's nodes are a classic sign of hand osteoarthritis, which is presented in the distal interphalageal joint. The epidemiologic relationship between hyperuricemia and OA raises the question of whether data support a biologic relation of the two entities. Patients and methods: A case-control study. A total of 100 patients (50 cases with nodal osteoarthritis and 50 healthy control) aged from (40 to 70) years old were included in the study. Results: There was no significant association between serum uric acid and nodal osteoarthritis. Age, a n d high body mass index was positively correlated to nodal osteoarthritis. There was positive relationship between serum uric acid and radiological osteoarthritic changes of hand which has been assessed by using Kellgren-Lawrence scale (P-value < 0.001). Conclusion: Serum uric acid can be used as a mean to give us an idea about radiological osteoarthritic changes of hand assessed by using Kellgren-Lawrence scale.