Erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) is a commonly invoked diagnosis representing an important variant of hand osteoarthritis (OA). There is increasing literature on the prevalence, risk factors, etiology, and management of EOA.
We systematically reviewed the literature to assess variability in the diagnostic definitions used to define EOA in these studies.
We reviewed 336 articles and found 62 articles citing diagnostic definitions for EOA. Radiographic appearance was the most commonly used criterion, but there was little agreement on the details or extent of the radiographic changes. Overall, 56 of the 62 studies included clinical features in the diagnostic definitions, yet these features varied considerably. Exclusion criteria were mentioned in 43 of the studies.
Based on the widely disparate definitions of EOA, we urge caution in interpretation of this literature, and propose that further understanding of EOA will require consensus on its definition.