Peer-reviewed research
The prevalence of radiographic thumb base osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis
MJW van der Oest et al., Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2021 · DOI 10.1016/j.joca.2021.03.004
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- A meta-analysis of 16 general-population studies that estimated how common X-ray evidence of thumb base osteoarthritis is at each age, for men and women separately.
- How much weight it carries
- Peer-reviewed meta-analysis. It counts X-ray changes, which are common without pain, so the figures are higher than the rate of symptomatic arthritis that needs treatment.
Facts taken from this source
- In a 2021 meta-analysis of general-population X-ray studies, 5.8 percent of 50-year-old men had radiographic thumb base osteoarthritis.
“The prevalence of radiographic OA for the 50-year-old male and female participants was 5.8% and 7.3%, respectively, while the respective prevalence for 80-year-old male and female participants was 33.1% and 39.0%.” (Results)
- In the same meta-analysis, 33.1 percent of 80-year-old men had radiographic thumb base osteoarthritis.
“The prevalence of radiographic OA for the 50-year-old male and female participants was 5.8% and 7.3%, respectively, while the respective prevalence for 80-year-old male and female participants was 33.1% and 39.0%.” (Results)
- In the same meta-analysis, 7.3 percent of 50-year-old women had radiographic thumb base osteoarthritis.
“The prevalence of radiographic OA for the 50-year-old male and female participants was 5.8% and 7.3%, respectively, while the respective prevalence for 80-year-old male and female participants was 33.1% and 39.0%.” (Results)
- In the same meta-analysis, 39.0 percent of 80-year-old women had radiographic thumb base osteoarthritis.
“The prevalence of radiographic OA for the 50-year-old male and female participants was 5.8% and 7.3%, respectively, while the respective prevalence for 80-year-old male and female participants was 33.1% and 39.0%.” (Results)