Ultrasound Can Be Usefully Integrated with the Clinical Assessment of Nail and Enthesis Involvement in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine and compare the findings of nail and enthesis ultrasonography in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Methods

We identified 154 patients with psoriatic arthritis and 35 patients with psoriasis who were treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, between September 2018 and January 2019.

Results

There were significant differences in the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index scores and Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System scores between patients with psoriasis and those with psoriatic arthritis. B-mode ultrasonography revealed that onychopathic changes were more common in the psoriasis group. The psoriatic arthritis group showed a higher proportion of lower-limb enthesopathy, with significant differences in distal patellar ligament thickness and Achilles tendon thickness.

Conclusion

The findings of nail ultrasonography were more severe in psoriasis cases, and the ultrasonographic findings of enthesopathy of the lower limb were more severe in cases of psoriatic arthritis.