Literature on Psoriatic Arthritis

Lack of genetic association of the interleukin-4 receptor single-nucleotide polymorphisms I50V and Q551R with erosive disease in psoriatic arthritis.

Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Nov 28;54(12):4023-4024

Authors: Lascorz J, Hüffmeier U, Schulze-Koops H, Skapenko A, Reis A, Lohmann J, Wendler J, Traupe H, Küster W, Burkhardt H

PMID: 17133536 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Related ArticlesClustering of autoimmune diseases in families with a high-risk for multiple sclerosis: a descriptive study.

Lancet Neurol. 2006 Nov;5(11):924-31

Authors: Barcellos LF, Kamdar BB, Ramsay PP, DeLoa C, Lincoln RR, Caillier S, Schmidt S, Haines JL, Pericak-Vance MA, Oksenberg JR, Hauser SL

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune mechanisms are thought to have a major role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. We aimed to identify coexisting autoimmune phenotypes in patients with multiple sclerosis from families with several members with the disease and in their first-degree relatives. METHODS: A total of 176 families (386 individuals and 1107 first-degree relatives) were characterised for a history of other autoimmune disorders. Family-based or case-control analyses were done to assess the association of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-antigen 4 (CTLA4) and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN22) variants with susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. FINDINGS: 46 (26%) index cases reported at least one coexisting autoimmune disorder. The most common were Hashimoto thyroiditis (10%), psoriasis (6%), inflammatory bowel disease (3%), and rheumatoid arthritis (2%). 112 (64%) families with a history of multiple sclerosis reported autoimmune disorders (excluding multiple sclerosis) in one or more first-degree relatives, whereas 64 (36%) families reported no history of autoimmunity. Similar to index cases, Hashimoto thyroiditis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease were also the most common disorders occurring in family members. A common variant within CTLA4 was strongly associated with multiple sclerosis in families who had other autoimmune diseases (p=0.009) but not in families without a history of other autoimmune disorders (p=0.90). INTERPRETATION: The presence of various immune disorders in families with several members with multiple sclerosis suggests that the disease might arise on a background of a generalised susceptibility to autoimmunity. This distinct multiple-sclerosis phenotype, defined by its association with other autoimmune diseases, segregates with specific genotypes that could underlie the common susceptibility.

PMID: 17052659 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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The relationship between nail- and distal phalangeal bone involvement severity in patients with psoriasis.

Clin Rheumatol. 2006 Nov 22;

Authors: Serarslan G, Güler H, Karazincir S

We aimed to investigate the relationship between nail involvement and joint manifestations and whether there was a correlation between nail psoriasis severity and bone manifestations in psoriatic patients without symptomatic psoriatic arthritis in plaque type psoriasis. Thirty-one patients with nail involvement (16 men, 15 women, mean age 45.29 +/- 18.73) and 39 patients without nail involvement (16 men, 23 women, mean age 38.41 +/- 17.33) were enrolled in the study. X-ray of the hands and feet with magnification were performed. The distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and bone (tuft of terminal phalanx) were evaluated. A scoring method was performed on the patients with nail involvement. There was no difference in DIP joint involvement in patients with or without finger- and toenail involvement (p = 0.085 and p = 0.062, respectively). However, the prevalence of bone involvement was higher in patients with finger- and toenail involvement than without finger- and toenail involvement (p = 0.039 and p = 0.021, respectively). A positive correlation was also determined between finger- and toenail psoriasis severity and bone involvement severity (r = 0.379, p = 0.001 and r = 0.288, p = 0.015).

PMID: 17119859 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Infliximab maintains a high degree of clinical response in patients with active psoriatic arthritis through one year of treatment: results from the IMPACT 2 trial.

Ann Rheum Dis. 2006 Nov 17;

Authors: Kavanaugh A, Krueger GG, Beutler A, Guzzo C, Zhou B, Dooley LT, Mease PJ, Gladman DD, de Vlam K, Geusens P, Birbara C, Halter DG, Antoni C

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab through one year in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) enrolled in the IMPACT 2 trial. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo- controlled, phase III study, 200 patients with active PsA were randomized to receive infusions of infliximab 5 mg/kg or placebo at Weeks 0, 2, and 6 and every 8 weeks thereafter through one year. Patients with persistent disease activity could enter early escape at Week 16, and all remaining placebo patients crossed over to infliximab at Week 24. Infliximab-randomized patients who had no response or who lost response could escalate their dose to 10 mg/kg starting at Week 38. Clinical efficacy was assessed based on the proportion of patients achieving ACR 20 and PASI 75 responses. Major clinical response (i.e., maintenance of ACR 70 response for 24 continuous weeks) was assessed for the first time in PsA. RESULTS: Through one year of treatment, 58.9% and 61.4% of patients in the randomized infliximab and placebo/infliximab groups, respectively, achieved ACR 20; corresponding figures for PASI 75 were 50.0% and 60.3%. At Week 54, major clinical response was achieved by 12.1% of patients in the infliximab group. The safety profile of infliximab through Week 54 was consistent with that observed through Week 24. Two malignancies occurred: basal cell skin cancer (placebo) and stage 1 Hodgkin’s lymphoma (infliximab). CONCLUSION: Infliximab maintains a high degree of clinical efficacy and continues to be well tolerated in patients with PsA through one year of treatment.

PMID: 17114188 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Related ArticlesFrequency of rheumatic diseases in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Rheumatol Int. 2006 Nov 11;

Authors: Soy M, Guldiken S, Arikan E, Altun BU, Tugrul A

We aimed to investigate the frequency of rheumatic diseases in patients suffering from autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATD). Sixty-five patients (56 F, 9 M), who were followed by diagnosis of ATD, were questioned and examined for the presence of rheumatic disease. Basic laboratory tests and antithyroid antibodies, antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were also measured by appropriate methods. Various rheumatic diseases were detected in 40 (62%) of patients with ATD. The most frequent rheumatic conditions were fibromyalgia, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, osteoarthritis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia and carpal tunnel syndrome which were detected in 20 (31%), 13 (20%), 10 (15%), 9 (14%) and 8 (12%) of patients, respectively. Autoimmune diseases, except Sjogren’s syndrome, which were detected in ten patients with ATD, are as follows-vitiligo: two; autoimmune hepatitis: two; oral lichen planus: one, ulcerative colitis: one, inflammatory arthritis in four patients (two of them had rheumatoid arthritis, one had psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and one had mixed collagen tissue disease). RF was positive in two patients, one of them had rheumatoid arthritis and FANA was positive in six (9%) patients; all of them had hypothyroidism. The frequency of rheumatic diseases seems to be higher in patients suffering from ATD. Initial evaluation and a regular checking for rheumatic diseases in patients suffering from ATD were recommended.

PMID: 17102943 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Defining remission in psoriatic arthritis.

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2006 Nov-Dec;24(6 Suppl 43):S083-7

Authors: Kavanaugh A, Fransen J

Driven in part by the introduction of highly effective agents, there has been growing interest in the overall therapeutic approach to patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). As with any form of arthritis, the goal of treatment for PsA would be to improve the outcome to the greatest extent possible. In other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, recent discussions have centered on how best to define “remission.” For patients with PsA, the heterogeneity among disease manifestations as well as the need to validate outcome measures make definition of remission challenging. In this paper we present a number of key principles and considerations critical to laying the groundwork for defining remission in PsA.

PMID: 17083768 [PubMed - in process]

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Case of acrodermatitis continua accompanied by psoriatic arthritis.

J Dermatol. 2006 Nov;33(11):787-91

Authors: Jo SJ, Park JY, Yoon HS, Youn JI

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare chronic pustular eruption that predominantly involves the fingertips. The characterization of this disease has been confused. Some have considered it as a separate entity while others as a variant of pustular psoriasis. The presented patient simultaneously had ACH and joint lesions which were diagnosed as psoriatic arthritis. We believe that because ACH may be accompanied by psoriatic arthritis, as in this case, it could be evidence that it is a variant of psoriasis.

PMID: 17073995 [PubMed - in process]

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Living with psoriasis.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2006 Nov;20 Suppl 2:28-32

Authors: Wolkenstein P

Background Psoriasis has a strong impact on quality of life and the viewpoints of patients and physicians are necessary for satisfactory therapy. Aim To inform dermatologists on what represents ‘living with psoriasis’. Methods We conducted a research using Medline with the following keywords: psoriasis, quality of life. Forty-one papers were selected from a total of 369 papers. Results As with other major medical chronic disorders, psoriasis has a severe impact on the life of patients. Patients with palmoplantar, pustular and arthropathic psoriasis are more likely to have a poorer quality of life. Emotionally charged body regions, e.g. the scalp, face, neck, forearms, hands and genital region, have a specific and significant impact. Living with psoriasis is to live with its symptoms, especially pruritus, and to live in vulnerable social isolation. Conclusions As psoriasis has a strong impact on quality of life because of extensive skin involvement, clinical management should take these two criteria into account when making therapeutic decisions. The strong impact of new treatments on patient-related outcomes probably leads to the conclusion that they improve life with psoriasis. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that even a successful treatment does not impact on the psychological distress of the patients, the patients’ beliefs about psoriasis or their coping with the disease.

PMID: 17064382 [PubMed - in process]

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