Literature on Psoriatic Arthritis

Intestinal flora and psoriatic arthritis.

J Rheumatol. 2006 Oct;33(10):2099

Authors: Vasey FB, Carter JD

PMID: 17014029 [PubMed - in process]

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High prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

J Rheumatol. 2006 Oct;33(10):2026-8

Authors: Antonelli A, Sedie AD, Fallahi P, Ferrari SM, Maccheroni M, Ferrannini E, Bombardieri S, Riente L

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the prevalence of thyroid disorders in a group of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: A complete thyroid investigation was carried out in 80 patients with PsA, in gender- and age-matched subjects (1:5) drawn from the general population (controls), and in 112 patients with rheumatoid arthrtitis (RA) with similar iodine intake. RESULTS: Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (AbTPO), a hypoechoic thyroid, and subclinical hypothyroidism were significantly more frequent in women with PsA than in control women, and their frequency was similar to that in patients with RA (positive AbTPO titer 28%, 12%, and 31%; hypoechoic thyroid 31%, 16%, and 36%; subclinical hypothyroidism 25%, 8%, and 12%, respectively). Among men, positive AbTPO titers and a hypoechoic thyroid were found more frequently in the patients with PsA and RA than in controls (positive AbTPO titer 14%, 5%, and 2%; hypoechoic thyroid 16%, 10%, and 3%, respectively). All patients with PsA with subclinical hypothyroidism had polyarticular involvement (p

PMID: 17014017 [PubMed - in process]

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Related ArticlesEarly diagnosis of spondyloarthritis.

Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol. 2006 Oct;2(10):536-45

Authors: Braun J, Sieper J

The term ’spondyloarthritis’, which is preferred to ’spondyloarthropathy’, refers to a group of similar diseases with distinct clinical features and a common genetic predisposition, rather than one disease with different clinical presentations. Mainly for clinical purposes, five disease subtypes are recognized: ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic spondyloarthritis, reactive spondyloarthritis, spondyloarthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. Irrespective of the disease subtype, the main clinical manifestations of spondyloarthritides are inflammatory back pain, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis and anterior uveitis, while other organ manifestations are rare. The need for a standardized, evidence-based approach to disease classification led to the development of the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group preliminary criteria for spondyloarthritis in 1991, which confirmed the unifying concept of this group of diseases. In the past 10 years, the work of the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group has been taken over by the Assessments in AS working group. There is still a considerable delay in diagnosis of AS and, because of the well-documented efficacy of anti-tumor-necrosis-factor therapy for all spondyloarthritis subtypes, diagnostic criteria (especially for early forms of spondyloarthritis) are needed. Diagnosis can be achieved by determination of the predominant clinical manifestation, and by the inclusion of sensitive diagnostic tools for early disease (such as HLA-B27 genotype and MRI) in the criteria set. In addition, because of the high incidence of back pain in affected individuals, the development of practical screening parameters that facilitate referral to the rheumatologist is important.

PMID: 17016479 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Related ArticlesTherapeutic targeting of molecules involved in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions.

FEBS J. 2006 Oct;273(19):4416-24

Authors: Kaneider NC, Leger AJ, Kuliopulos A

Inflammation is traditionally viewed as a physiological reaction to tissue injury. Leukocytes contribute to the inflammatory response by the secretion of cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory compounds, by phagocytotic activity and by targeted attack of foreign antigens. Leukocyte accumulation in tissues is important for the initial response to injury. However, the overzealous accumulation of leukocytes in tissues also contributes to a wide variety of diseases, such as atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, vasculitis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, juvenile diabetes and psoriasis. Many therapeutic interventions target immune cells after they have already migrated to the site of inflammation. This review addresses different therapeutic strategies, used to reduce or prevent leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and communication, in order to limit the progression of inflammatory diseases.

PMID: 16956369 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Related ArticlesManagement of psoriatic arthritis:the therapeutic interface between rheumatology and dermatology.

Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2006 Oct;8(5):348-54

Authors: Mease P

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis, which occurs in up to 30% of individuals with psoriasis. Dermatologists and other physicians treating psoriasis are in an ideal position to screen for the condition, and with rheumatologists, strategize optimal therapy. Mild skin and joint manifestations may be treated effectively with topical agents, ultraviolet light therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. More severe manifestations of the disease, including progressive peripheral joint damage, spine disease, enthesitis, dactylitis, and severe skin changes, require systemic therapy. Traditional systemic agents include methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and cyclosporine. When these agents are not adequate or not tolerated, new biologic agents, particularly anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) compounds, have shown significant and enduring benefit in all disease domains, improvement in quality of life and function, and inhibition of progressive joint damage.

PMID: 16973108 [PubMed - in process]

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Related ArticlesMetabolic disorders in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2006 Oct;8(5):355-63

Authors: Mallbris L, Ritchlin CT, Ståhle M

Psoriasis is one of the common complex disorders in Western world, affecting 2% to 3% of the population. Recent studies indicate that psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of comorbidity and mortality compared to the general population. It appears that patients with psoriasis have a higher prevalence of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and hyperlipidemia, as well as a higher frequency of cigarette smoking. These concomitant diseases can complicate the treatment of psoriasis. Even though the etiology of these associations is elusive, physicians should be aware of them and take active steps to reduce the risk profiles of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, in order to lessen mortality and comorbidity.

PMID: 16973109 [PubMed - in process]

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