Ultrasonographic Enthesopathy and Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis.

BACKGROUND

To our knowledge, the correlation between ultrasonographic enthesopathy and severity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been done before. However, the correlation between ultrasonography of enthesopathy and the Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score (PASDAS) have not been done.

AIM: To compare the results of ultrasonographic enthesopathy of foot and PASDAS in PsA.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 65 PsA patients were involved and divided into two groups. The first group of 35 active PsA and the second group of 30 ages and sex matched inactive PsA as a control group were recruited in this study. Both groups were evaluated by examination, radiological findings and ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Of 70 entheses in 35 active PsA patients, the most entheseal abnormalities were tender plantar fascia (18.5%), tender Achilles tendon (37.8%). PASDAS was a direct highly significant correlated with plantar fascia and Achilles tendon thickness in in active PsA (r = 0.823 and r = 0.796, p < 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSION

Musculoskeletal US is an accurate and low-cost method for assessment of enthesopathy with significant correlation to disease activities in psoriatic arthritis.