Abstract
Background
Cutaneous psoriasis precedes joint disease in 84% of patients with psoriatic arthritis. We believe that skin involvement should be considered when deciding how to treat psoriatic arthritis.
Objective
The goal of our study was to investigate how the severity of skin disease influenced the management of psoriatic arthritis.
Methods
Fifty patients with psoriatic arthritis and cutaneous involvement were studied. The severity of joint and skin involvement was evaluated. Treatment decisions for each patient were based on the most severe presentation between skin and joint involvement.
Results
Treatment decisions were guided and were compared by the most severe skin involvement in 22/50 patients (44%), by the most severe joint involvement in 16 patients (32%), and by both skin and joint involvement in 12 patients (24%). There were no statistically significant differences (p <0.472).
Conclusion
Treatment decisions in patients with psoriatic arthritis should be made in conjunction with decisions about skin treatment.
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