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Clin Exp Rheumatol 2019 Mar-Apr;37(2):167-178. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an inflammatory condition characterised by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, laboratory abnormalities and imaging features that genetically tend to be associated with the major histocompatibility complex class 1 antigen, HLA-B27, and in which both peripheral and axial joints might be affected. In addition to arthritis, the typical musculoskeletal manifestations are enthesitis and dactylitis. Extraarticular manifestations such as acute anterior uveitis (AAU), psoriasis (PsO) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are also typical of SpA. Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Mar 15. Epub 2019 Mar 15.

From the Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Rheumatology, Bone and Joint Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, IIS Fundación Jiménez Díaz; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Department of Rheumatology, University of Perth, Perth, Australia; Department of Rheumatology, MC Groep Hospitals, Lelystad; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche (DSCB) Università degli Studi di Torino, Medicina Fisica Riabilitativa Universitaria (MFRU) Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds; NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, UK; University of Ottawa and Centre for Practice-Changing Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa; Institute for Work and Health and Institute for Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Rheumatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Boulogne-Billancourt; INSERM U1173, Labex Inflamex, Université Versailles St-Quentin en Yvelines, Montigny Les Bretonneux, France. PGC is supported in part by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the UK National Health Service, the NIHR, or the Department of Health. L. Terslev, MD, PhD, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet; E. Naredo, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Bone and Joint Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, IIS Fundación Jiménez Díaz, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; H.I. Keen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University of Perth; G.A. Bruyn, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, MC Groep Hospitals; A. Iagnocco, MD, DSCB Università degli Studi di Torino, MFRU Città della Salute e della Scienza; R.J. Wakefield, MD, PhD, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, and NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre; P.G. Conaghan, MD, PhD, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, and NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre; L.J. Maxwell, PhD, University of Ottawa and Centre for Practice-Changing Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; D.E. Beaton, PhD, Institute for Work and Health and Institute for Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto; M. Boers, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit; M.A. D'Agostino, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, and INSERM U1173, Labex Inflamex, Université Versailles St-Quentin en Yvelines. Address correspondence to Prof. M.A. D'Agostino, Rheumatology Department, Ambroise Paré Hospital, 9 avenue Charles de Gaulle, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France. E-mail: Accepted for publication January 31, 2019.

Objective: To describe the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) stepwise approach to select and develop an imaging instrument with musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) as an example.

Methods: The OMERACT US Working Group (WG) developed a 4-step process to select instruments based on imaging. Step 1 applies the OMERACT Framework Instrument Selection Algorithm (OFISA) to existing US outcome measurement instruments for a specific indication. Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Mar 1. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

From the Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, San Diego, California, USA; Pfizer Inc, Groton, Connecticut, USA; Pfizer Inc, Montreal, QC, Canada. This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. DvdH has received consultancy fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Daiichi, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, and UCB; and is the Director of Imaging Rheumatology BV. DDG has received research grants and consultancy fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, and UCB; and has received consultancy fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, and UCB. OF has received research grants and consultancy fees from AbbVie, Bristol- Myers Squibb, Novartis, and Pfizer Inc; and has received consultancy fees from Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, and Janssen. AK has received consultancy fees or other remuneration from Pfizer Inc. DG, CW, and LF are employees and shareholders of Pfizer Inc. Pfizer Inc were involved in the design of the study, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and review and approval of the manuscript. Address correspondence to: Professor Désirée van der Heijde, Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. E-mail:

Objective: To evaluate the effect of baseline risk factors on radiographic progression in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and an inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) treated with tofacitinib or adalimumab.

Methods: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of PsA. OPAL Broaden (NCT01877668) was a 12-month, double-blind phase III trial. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2019 11;6:14. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Arthritis Unit, Rheumatology Department of Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an immuno-inflammatory disease with a heterogeneous clinical presentation as affects musculoskeletal tissues (arthritis, enthesitis, spondylitis), skin (psoriasis) and, less frequently, eye (uveitis) and bowel (inflammatory bowel disease). It has been suggested that distinct affected tissues could exhibit different immune-inflammatory pathways so complicating the understanding of the physiopathology of psoriatic disease as well as its treatment. Despite of the key pathogenic and clinical relevance that enthesitis has in PsA, peripheral arthritis is more easily perceived. Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

From the Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, St. Luke's International University; Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga; Department of Rheumatology, Tonan Hospital, Hokkaido; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Fujita Health University, Aichi; Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo; Department of Rheumatology, Chubu Rosai Hospital, Aichi; Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi; Department of Orthopedics, Osaka Minami Medical Center, Osaka; Department of Rheumatology, Daido Hospital, Aichi; Department of Internal Medicine, Juntendo University Koshigaya Hospital, Saitama; Department of Orthopedic Biomaterial Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Division of Rheumatology, National University Hospital, Singapore; Division of Rheumatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía/IMIBIC/University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Department of Rheumatology, Paris Descartes University, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France; INSERM Unit 1183, CRESS, Paris, France; Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. This study was conducted under the umbrella of the International Society for Spondyloarthritis Assessment (ASAS) and the COMOSPA study was supported by the unrestricted grants from Pfizer, AbbVie, and UCB. M.K. received honoraria from AbbVie and Ayumi; K.Y. receives tuition support from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (partially supported by training grants from Pfizer, Takeda, Bayer, and PhRMA); A.M. has received research grants from Abbvie, Pfizer, and MSD. M. Kishimoto, MD, Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, St. Luke's International University; K. Yoshida, MD, MPH, ScD, Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; N. Ichikawa, MD, Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University; H. Inoue, MD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine; Y. Kaneko, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Keio University School of Medicine; T. Kawasaki, MD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science; K. Matsui, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Tonan Hospital, M. Morita, MD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Fujita Health University; M. Suda, MD, Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, St. Luke's International University; K. Tada, MD, Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine; N. Takizawa, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Chubu Rosai Hospital; N. Tamura, MD, Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine; A. Taniguchi, MD, Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University; Y. Taniguchi, MD, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School; S. Tsuji, MD, Department of Orthopedics, Osaka Minami Medical Center; Y. Haji, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Daido Hospital; R. Rokutanda, MD, Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, St. Luke's International University; H. Yanaoka, MD, Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, St. Luke's International University; P.P. Cheung, MD, Division of Rheumatology, National University Hospital; J. Gu, MD, Division of Rheumatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; T.H. Kim, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases; S.F. Luo, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University; M. Okada, MD, Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, St. Luke's International University; C. López Medina, MD, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía/IMIBIC/University of Córdoba; A. Molto, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Paris Descartes University, Cochin Hospital, and INSERM Unit 1183, CRESS; M. Dougados, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Paris Descartes University, Cochin Hospital, and INSERM Unit 1183, CRESS; S. Kobayashi, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Juntendo University Koshigaya Hospital; D. van der Heijde, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center; T. Tomita, MD, Department of Orthopedic Biomaterial Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine. Address correspondence to Dr. M. Kishimoto, Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, St. Luke's International University, 9-1 Akashicho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 104-8560. E-mail: Accepted for publication October 11, 2018.

Objective: To delineate clinical characteristics of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) in Japan in comparison to other areas of the world.

Methods: Using the ASAS-COMOSPA (Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society-COMOrbidities in SPondyloArthritis) data, an international cross-sectional observational study of patients with SpA, we analyzed information on demographics, disease characteristics, comorbidities, and risk factors. Patients were classified by region: Japan, other Asian countries (China, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan), and non-Asian countries (Europe, the Americas, Africa). Read More

Radiol Med 2019 Feb 9. Epub 2019 Feb 9.

Radiology Department, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.

Structural changes of bone and cartilage are the hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Radiography can help in making diagnosis and in differentiating PsA and RA from other articular diseases. Radiography is still considered the preferred imaging method to assess disease progression, reflecting cumulative damage over time. Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

From the Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen; Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Hôpitaux Universitaires Pitié Salpêtrière; Paris 6 University, GRC-UPMC 08, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health; Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP and Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France; Division of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels; Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, and CaRE (Canadian Research Education) Arthritis and Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Radiology, Arthritis Imaging Research Group, University Hospital Charité, Berlin, Germany; Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. PGC is supported in part by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the UK National Health Service, the NIHR, or the UK Department of Health. A.J. Mathew, MBBS, DNB, DM, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College, and PhD Fellow, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, COPECARE, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen; S. Krabbe, MD, PhD Fellow, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, COPECARE, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen; I. Eshed, MD, Professor, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University; F. Gandjbakhch, MD, Practicing Rheumatologist, Hôpitaux Universitaires Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris 6 University, GRC-UPMC 08, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health; P. Bird, B Med (Hons), FRACP, PhD, Grad Dip MRI, Associate Professor, University of New South Wales; S.J. Pedersen, MD, PhD, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet; M.S. Stoenoiu, MD, PhD, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain; V. Foltz, MD, Practising Rheumatologist, Hôpitaux Universitaires Pitié Salpêtrière; D. Glinatsi, MD, PhD, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet; R.G. Lambert, MB.BCh, FRCR, FRCPC, Professor, Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta; K.G. Hermann, MD, PhD, Senior Consultant, Department of Radiology, Arthritis Imaging Research Group, University Hospital Charité; W.P. Maksymowych MD, FRCP(C), Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta; I.K. Haugen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital; J.L. Jaremko, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Alberta; R.P. Poggenborg, MD, PhD, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet; J. Paschke, BSc, CaRE (Canadian Research Education) Arthritis; J.D. Laredo, MD, Professor, Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP and Université Paris-Diderot; P. Carron, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital; P.G. Conaghan, MB, BS, PhD, FRACP, FRCP, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, and NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Trust; M. Østergaard, MD, PhD, DMSc, Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, COPECARE, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen. Address correspondence to Dr. M. Østergaard, COPECARE - Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Nordre Ringvej 57, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark. E-mail: Accepted for publication January 9, 2019.

Objective: To develop and validate an enthesitis magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scoring system for spondyloarthritis/psoriatic arthritis, using the heel as model.

Methods: Consensus definitions of key pathologies and 3 heel enthesitis multireader scoring exercises were done, separated by discussion, training, and calibration.

Results: Definitions for bone and soft tissue pathologies were agreed. Read More

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2019 Feb 31;17(2):138-147. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Evangelical Hospital, Düsseldorf, and Faculty of Health, Department of Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany.

Background And Objectives: Early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis poses a particular challenge. A novel fluorescence optical imaging technique, the Xiralite® system is very useful in this regard as it allows for visualization of microvasculature and perfusion. The present study is the first to systematically examine fluorescence optical signals in a large psoriatic arthritis cohort. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2019 Apr 23;78(4):473-479. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland.

Objectives: Here, we present the reported incidence rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients receiving treatment with secukinumab for psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS), in a pooled analysis of 21 clinical trials.

Methods: Data from all patients who had received at least one dose of secukinumab were included. Safety analyses were conducted to evaluate cumulative IBD rates as well as per-year rates, by indication. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2019 Mar 15;38(3):913-920. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale A. L. Scuro 1, 37138, Verona, Italy.

Introduction And Objectives: The nail unit is a subject of interest in several diseases, often involving different medical fields. Even if few data are available for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, no data regarding ultrasonography and imaging are present for other degenerative and inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to explore through imaging the changes of nail and enthesis in inflammatory and degenerative conditions in order to find qualitative and quantitative changes related to distal interphalangeal joints. Read More

World J Clin Cases 2019 Jan;7(1):69-72

Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Pamukkale University School of Medicine, Denizli 20070, Turkey.

Background: Diffuse fasciitis with psoriatic arthritis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has not been previously described in childhood. Here we present the first case report of a pediatric patient developing fasciitis, beyond plantar fasciitis, with psoriatic arthritis.

Case Summary: An 11-year-old female was admitted with the complaints of psoriatic rash on the body associated with severe pain in the lower extremities and arthritis in the right knee. Read More

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2019 Jan;17(1):43-64

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Medical Faculty of the Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany.

The coincidence of skin and joint inflammation poses a challenge for both dermatologists and rheumatologists. Adequate management of such disorders requires that physicians of both specialties have sound knowledge of the other discipline. In case of suspected joint involvement, familiarity with the diagnostic options available to rheumatologists enables dermatologists to selectively refer their patients for a rheumatology consult. Read More

Nat Rev Rheumatol 2019 Feb;15(2):113-122

Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Dactylitis is diffuse swelling of the digits that is usually related to an underlying inflammatory or infiltrative disorder. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is the most common severe disease thought to cause dactylitis. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of PsA-related dactylitis comes from experimental animal models of PsA-like disease, as well as advances in imaging and other clinical studies. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2019 03 6;32(2):e12806. Epub 2019 Jan 6.

Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

People living with HIV (PLWH) are affected by a higher incidence skin disorders, which are often associated with high morbidity and mortality. In particular, psoriasis affects PLWH severely and for a longer time than the general population. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is characterized by a progressive decrease in CD4 T-cell count, and it could seem paradoxical that psoriasis exacerbations are more frequent in this subset of patients than the general population, even though it is commonly observed at any stage of infection. Read More

Reumatismo 2018 Dec 20;70(4):225-231. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Dermatologic Clinic, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti.

Functional infrared imaging (fIRI) is used to provide information on circulation, thermal properties and thermoregulatory function of the cutaneous tissue in several clinical settings. This study aims to evaluate the application of fIRI in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) assessment, evaluating the thermoregulatory alterations due to joint inflammation in RA patients both in basal conditions and after a mild functional (isometric) exercise, using the same protocol we projected in our recent work on psoriatic arthritis (PsA); fIRI outcomes were compared with those provided by power-Doppler ultrasonography. Ten patients with RA and 11 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Read More

Skeletal Radiol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Radiology Department, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.

Objective: To develop and validate in a preliminary way a novel radiographic scoring system for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), called Simplified Psoriatic Arthritis Radiographic Score (SPARS).

Materials And Methods: Radiographs of hands and feet were obtained from consecutive PsA patients and assessed by two readers. For each joint (30 joints in the hands, ten joints in the feet), the combination of the erosions, joint narrowing space (JNS) and bony proliferation (BP) has been assessed, giving a value of 1 for erosions presence, 1 for JNS presence, and 1 for BP presence (SPARS score range, 0-120). Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 04 5;32(2):295-311. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Division of Rheumatology, University of Ottawa, 1967 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1H 7W9, Canada; The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, 1967 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1H 7W9, Canada. Electronic address:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects different structures of the musculoskeletal system in addition to the skin and the nail. The complexity of the disease had been a barrier to understand the pathogenesis and define valid outcome tools; however, our understanding about the disease has considerably increased with time mainly because of the advances in imaging, new discoveries in genetics and underlying inflammatory pathways, and better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease and environmental risk factors. The purpose of this review is to summarize developments and changes in epidemiology, risk factors for developing PsA, and outcome measures with a focus on data obtained in the last 10 years. Read More

Eur J Rheumatol 2019 Jan;6(1):38-47

Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Imaging is increasingly used in the routine management of rheumatic diseases as well as in the clinical trials of these disorders. This viewpoint, authored by a group of international imaging experts following two meetings dedicated to imaging in rheumatology, reports a consensus about the current knowledge and addresses where further research should be focused based on the views of the international imaging experts and discussion of the evidence with attending imaging practitioners. The goal was to maximize the potential of imaging to improve the clinical management of four rheumatic diseases. Read More

J Ultrason 2018 ;18(74):224-233

University of Nis, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Rheumatology and Immunology, Serbia.

Juvenile spondyloarthritis may be present in at least 3 subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis according to the classification of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology. By contrast with spondyloarthritis in adults, juvenile spondyloarthritis starts with inflammation of peripheral joints and entheses in the majority of children, whereas sacroiliitis and spondylitis may develop many years after the disease onset. Peripheral joint involvement makes it difficult to differentiate juvenile spondyloarthritis from other juvenile idiopathic arthritis subtypes. Read More

J Pediatr Genet 2018 Dec 16;7(4):174-179. Epub 2018 Jun 16.

Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States.

Multicentric carpotarsal osteolysis syndrome (MCTO) is a rare skeletal disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the gene (v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene ortholog B). This is an autosomal dominant condition with a high frequency of sporadic cases. MCTO is characterized by osteolysis of the carpal, metacarpal, and tarsal bones beginning in early childhood with musculoskeletal rheumatologic symptoms such as pain and disability. Read More

Chest 2018 Nov;154(5):e127-e134

Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore; University Medicine Cluster, Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore. Electronic address:

A 67-year-old retired air force officer presented with a 6-month history of nonproductive cough, progressive exertional dyspnea, and weight loss. He was unable to walk beyond 100 m compared with his baseline of unlimited walking distance. He denied fever, hemoptysis, myalgia, or chest pain. Read More

RMD Open 2018 11;4(2):e000729. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with an accumulation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on CVD risk factors in patients with PsA.

Methods: We randomly assigned 61 patients with PsA (41 women and 20 men) to an intervention group performing HIIT for 11 weeks or a control group who were instructed to not change their physical exercise habits. Read More

Z Rheumatol 2019 Feb;78(1):31-42

Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Claudiusstr 45, 44649, Herne, Deutschland.

The classification of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) comprises the classical ankylosing spondylitis (AS), which is characterized by already existing structural changes in the sacroiliac joints, and the so-called non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA), in which by definition such changes are not present. This distinction is based on the ASAS classification criteria for axSpA, which are however not suitable for a diagnosis. According to the current classification, spondyloarthritis (SpA) includes axSpA, which can be associated with psoriasis and/or chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (CED), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and peripheral SpA, which is further divided into SpA associated with psoriasis, partially synonymous with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reactive SpA, partially synonymous with reactive arthritis (ReA) and SpA associated with CED, partially synonymous with arthritis associated with CED (e. Read More

Curr Rheumatol Rep 2018 Oct 29;20(12):77. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Division of Rheumatology, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.

Purpose Of Review: Heterogeneity is a hallmark of PsA as musculoskeletal inflammation can affect different tissues including the synovial joint, tendons, entheses, bursa, and bone.

Recent Findings: Relying on clinical examination for investigating underlying mechanisms in PsA is limited by the inherent inaccuracies of examination of the joints, enthesis, and spine. In addition, unlike synovial-centered diseases, histology is hard to obtain for the entheses and spine, limiting the knowledge for different manifestations of PsA. Read More

J Ultrasound 2018 Dec 15;21(4):309-314. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy.

Purpose: To investigate the frequency of thickening of pulleys for flexor tendons in patients with early arthritis in their hands, and to evaluate it as a predictive sign of PsA.

Methods: A prospective observational study involving 228 consecutive patients presenting with recent onset of arthritis in their hands was conducted at rheumatology outpatient clinics in the Veneto region of Italy between October 2014 and September 2017. Diabetic patients were excluded because of the high frequency of trigger finger. Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Apr 15;46(4):384-390. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

From the Division of Rheumatology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto; Division of Rheumatology, Women's College Hospital, Toronto; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto; University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario; Division of Rheumatology, Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; MRC Biostatistics Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Division of Rheumatology, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

Objective: To assess the performance of various sonographic elemental entheseal lesions in distinguishing between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and controls to inform the development of a novel sonographic enthesitis score for PsA.

Methods: A total of 100 age- and sex-matched individuals (50 PsA and 50 controls) were evaluated. Eleven entheseal sites were scanned bilaterally according to a standardized protocol by 2 sonographers. Read More

J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2018 Oct;62 Suppl 1:145

Department of Radiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Sep-Oct;36 Suppl 114(5):24-34. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup; and Dept. of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Univ. of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Imaging in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is rapidly evolving, and the use of sensitive modalities both in clinical research and routine care is increasing. This article provides an overview of current knowledge of different imaging methods in PsA, including current and possible future use in diagnosis, prognosis and clinical management, value in understanding pathogenesis, and latest activities to establish responsive imaging outcome measures. Much research remains to be performed concerning imaging in PsA, particularly on its optimal use in routine clinical care, the clinical consequences of imaging-detected subclinical disease, and specific and sensitive PsA imaging outcome measures. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Sep-Oct;36 Suppl 114(5):127-130. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Rheumatology Department, APHP, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, INSERM U1173, Labex Inflamex, Université Versailles St-Quentin en Yvelines, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.

Over the last 25 years, ultrasound has been used to evaluate involvement at the entheses in spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Several studies have been reported indicating its value in detecting active inflammation at entheseal sites using both gray scale and Doppler findings. This review explores the recent literature and appraises the current knowledge and the unmet needs of enthesitis detection by ultrasound in the management of both SpA and PsA. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Sep-Oct;36 Suppl 114(5):131-138. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center; and Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Tenosynovitis is traditionally recognised at physical examination in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, such as, e.g. psoriatic arthritis and (longstanding) rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Oct 2;2018. Epub 2018 Oct 2.

Internal Medicine, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey, USA.

The use of biologic drugs has expanded since its introduction in the late 1990s. With growing medical use and newer biologic drugs in development, opportunistic infections like remain important adverse effects. It carries major public health concerns, yet evidence-based clinical guidelines for more routine interval screening in patients taking immunosuppressants and exposed to tuberculosis (TB) are lacking. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 9;2018:8251097. Epub 2018 Sep 9.

Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-900 Olsztyn, Poland.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study was to conduct an ultrasound (US) assessment of changes in fingernails in psoriatic patients with nail involvement.

Material: A total of 69 patients with psoriatic changes in nails participated in the study, including 38 patients with psoriasis (Ps) and 31 with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and 30 people in the control group. A total of 988 nails were examined. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2018 Sep 23. Epub 2018 Sep 23.

Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Curr Rheumatol Rep 2018 Sep 18;20(11):71. Epub 2018 Sep 18.

Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.

Purpose Of Review: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory spondyloarthritis that can cause progressive joint damage and irreversible disability. Advances in modern therapies, now mean a target of remission is an achievable goal in PsA. There is strong and consistent evidence that a treat-to-target (T2T) approach to PsA management results in better patient outcomes; however, the practicalities of incorporating this strategy into routine clinical practice remain a challenge. Read More

Rom J Ophthalmol 2018 Apr-Jun;62(2):114-122

Department of Ophthalmology, University Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a heterogeneous group of diseases that includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reactive arthritis (ReA), inflammatory bowel disease-associated spondyloarthritis (IBD-SpA), and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (unSpA). This group of diseases shares several clinical, imaging, and genetic features; the integration of these diseases in the group of SpA is needed for an early diagnosis and a prompt treatment. Uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation of SpA. Read More

Am J Clin Dermatol 2018 Dec;19(6):839-852

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis that is estimated to affect approximately 30% of patients with psoriasis. Enthesitis and dactylitis, two hallmarks of PsA, are associated with radiographic peripheral/axial joint damage and severe disease. Clinical symptoms of enthesitis include tenderness, soreness, and pain at entheses on palpation, whereas dactylitis is recognized by swelling of an entire digit that is different from adjacent digits. Read More

Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2018 Sep 11;52(5):363-366. Epub 2018 Aug 11.

Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Objective: First MTP joint fusion is a reliable procedure for advanced arthritis for the first MTP joint. There are many techniques described. The purpose of our study is to report clinical, radiological, functional outcomes and complications of first metatarsophalangeal joint fusion with hand preparation of the joint and fixation with two orthogonal locking plates without a compression screw. Read More

Acta Reumatol Port 2018 Apr-Jun;43(2):80-92

Hospital de Santa Maria, CHLN; Unidade de Investigação em Reumatologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.

The GO-DACT is an investigator-initiated, national, multicentric randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded trial, that assesses dactylitis as primary endpoint. Psoriatic arthritis patients naïve to methotrexate and biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, with at least one active dactylitis, were assigned to golimumab in combination with methotrexate or placebo in combination with methotrexate, for 24 weeks. Both clinical (dactylitis severity score and the Leeds dactylitis index) and imaging (high resolution magnetic resonance imaging), among others, were assessed as outcomes. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Jul-Aug;36(4):519-525. Epub 2018 Jul 19.

Academic Rheumatology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy.

Ultrasound is playing an increasingly important role in the differential diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This technique is more sensitive and specific than clinical examination to detect active synovitis, and the identification of specific synovitis patterns enable differentiation of PsA from RA and other entities. Ultrasound verified inflammation changes along with clinical improvement during therapy, and ultrasound was shown to predict future clinical and structural outcomes thus complementing the clinical risk assessment of patients. Read More

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2019 02 19;48(4):638-643. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Objective: To assess the association between occupational-related mechanical factors and the severity of radiographic peripheral and axial joint damage in patients with longstanding Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).

Methods: Patients with longstanding PsA (disease duration≥10 years) were identified from a prospective longitudinal cohort. Using an occupation history questionnaire, patients were asked to report all paid employments since the age of 18. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2018 Oct 29;37(10):2741-2749. Epub 2018 Jul 29.

Clinica Medica, Dipartimento Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune arthritis, occurring in patients with psoriasis (Pso), that may affect the whole musculoskeletal system but also nails, eye, and gastrointestinal tract. Dermatologists and rheumatologists usually manage Pso and PsA separately, but early diagnosis and integrated management could achieve better outcomes of both skin and musculoskeletal manifestations, thus improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. In this work, we have described a model of integrated dermo-rheumatologic approach for the early diagnosis of PsA and to present the outcomes of the multidisciplinary management of PsA patients after 48 weeks of follow-up. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2018 07 27;20(1):153. Epub 2018 Jul 27.

Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.

Background: Although the effects of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibition on the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are well defined, little is known about its impact of local inflammatory and structural changes in the joints. The PSARTROS study was designed to elucidate the effects of IL-17A inhibition on inflammation and bone changes in joints affected by PsA.

Methods: This was a prospective open-label study in 20 patients with active PsA receiving 24 weeks of treatment with the IL-17A inhibitor secukinumab. Read More

Reumatologia 2018 30;56(3):140-148. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

First Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Goczałkowice Zdrój, Poland.

Objectives: Biologics are medications widely applied in the management of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The drugs were found to be effective but their application is associated with some disadvantages. Medication with biologics is relatively expensive, and in Poland, it is carried out in specialized centers. Read More

Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars 2018 07;46(5):358-365

Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is more prevalent in almost all patients with chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases than in their healthy counterparts. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in comparison with patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls.

Methods: A total of 30 patients with PsA, 30 patients with RA, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this parallel group study. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2018 Nov 25;270:253-259. Epub 2018 Jun 25.

University of Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK; First Department of Cardiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address:

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are common disorders associated with increased rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the contribution of cytokine-induced inflammation to impaired cardiovascular function in these conditions remains poorly understood.

Objectives: We assessed the effect of anti-TNF therapy on myocardial and vascular function, myocardial tissue characteristics and perfusion in inflammatory arthropathy and systemic rheumatic disease (IASRD) patients, using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

Methods: 20 RA patients, 7 AS patients, 5 PsA patients without previously known CVD scheduled to commence anti-TNF therapy and 8 RA patients on standard disease modifying antirheumatic drugs underwent CMR at 1. Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Jan 15;46(1):43-56. Epub 2018 Jul 15.

From the University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital; University of Toronto Lupus Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, Centre for Prognosis Studies in the Rheumatic Diseases; University Health Network; Women's College Hospital, Toronto; University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, Rheumatology, and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

Objective: As part of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) ultrasound working group, we performed a systematic review of the literature to assess the evidence and knowledge gaps in scoring instruments of enthesitis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBase, and Cochrane databases was performed. The search strategy was constructed to find original publications containing terms related to ultrasound, enthesitis, spondyloarthritis (SpA) or PsA. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Sep-Oct;36(5):896-899. Epub 2018 Jun 14.

Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.

Objectives: To evaluate by ultrasound (US) the frequency and reliability of peritenon extensor tendon inflammation (PTI) and intra articular synovitis (IAS) in metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPj) of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.

Methods: 27 PsA patients with clinical involvement of MCPj were consecutively included. Presence of PTI and IAS were evaluated by grey-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD). Read More

BMJ Open 2018 Jul 10;8(7):e021942. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy.

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) occurs in 10%-15% of people with psoriasis and accounts for 10%-20% of early arthritis clinics referral. Only a few prognostic factors of therapeutic response in patients with PsA have been identified. In the last years, the role of imaging has grown up and the European League Against Rheumatism recognised that ultrasound (US) has higher sensitivity than clinical examination to detect inflammatory disease activity. Read More

Cranio 2018 Jul 9:1-7. Epub 2018 Jul 9.

h Faculty of Sciences, Oral Medicine and Pathology , School of Dental Medicine, Universidad Mayor , Santiago , Chile.

Background Clinical assessments and uniplanar images in temporomandibular disorders are not always entirely reliable. This predicament is especially important when clinicians need to determine the nature of temporomandibular joint disease, particularly when clinical features are not helpful in determining the diagnosis. Clinical presentation A 63-year-old female patient presented with mild pain in her right TMJ. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 10;57(10):1822-1829

Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Rheumatology Unit, Carlo Urbani Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, Jesi, Ancona, Italy.

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to explore the prevalence and distribution of entheseal US changes in a cohort of SLE patients, taking as controls a group including both PsA patients and healthy subjects. The secondary objective is to investigate the correlation between the US findings and the clinical and serological data in SLE patients.

Methods: Clinical and US assessment of quadriceps, patellar and Achilles tendons, and plantar fascia entheses were performed by independent rheumatologists on 65 patients with SLE, 50 patients with PsA and 50 healthy subjects. Read More