Psoriatic arthritis in severe psoriasis.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Dermatology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
• Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a common comorbidity.
• Understanding the prevalence and presentation of PsA is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in hospitalized psoriasis patients.
• To identify clinical and radiological features associated with psoriatic arthritis.
• To explore the relationship between skin disease severity and psoriatic arthritis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 100 hospitalized psoriasis patients.
• Assessment for clinical evidence of arthritis (peripheral, spinal, sacroiliac).
• Radiological evaluation for psoriatic arthritis manifestations.

Main Results:

• 32% of patients had clinical or radiological evidence of psoriatic arthritis.
• 17% had evidence of both clinical and radiological psoriatic arthritis.
• Radiological evidence of spinal or sacroiliac involvement occurred in 8% without symptoms; clinical peripheral arthritis without radiological evidence in 7%.

Conclusions:

• Psoriatic arthritis is a frequent complication in patients hospitalized for severe psoriasis.
• Patients with psoriatic sacroiliitis and spondylitis showed characteristic radiographic changes.
• More extensive skin disease in psoriasis patients is associated with a higher likelihood of developing psoriatic arthritis.