Evaluation of joint involvement in patients of psoriasis: an observational study

Background Psoriasis is a common, genetically-determined inflammatory diseasecharacterized by well-demarcated, erythematous scaly papules and plaques. Usually 20-30%of patients with psoriasis develop seronegative, peripheral and/or spinal arthropathies.Various patterns of arthritis have been reported in patients of psoriasis in different studiesfrom different parts of world. Objective We carried out this clinical survey to find out different patterns of jointinvolvement in patients of psoriasis in this part of the world. Patients and methods All psoriatic patients of either sex and any age were enrolled from theinpatient and outpatient Dermatology departments of Allama Iqbal Medical College/JinnahHospital, Lahore from 1st April to 30th November 2006. They were thoroughly examined,investigated and recorded on the predesigned pro forma. Results Of 104 patients enrolled, 37 showed joint involvement and all were rheumatoidfactor-negative. Symmetrical rheumatoid-like seronegative polyarthritis was the commonestpattern noted (43%) while cervical, temporomandibular and sternomanubrial jointsinvolvement was not seen. Conclusion All forms of psoriatic arthropathy as mentioned by Moll and Wright were foundin the present study, symmetrical rheumatoid-like seronegative polyarthritis being the mostcommon.