J E Brockbank1, M Stein, C T Schentag, D D Gladman. 1. Centre for Prognosis Studies in the Rheumatic Diseases, Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst St ECW 5-034B, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada.
Abstract
AIM: To describe dactylitis in a large cohort of patients with psoriatic arthritis followed prospectively in a specialist clinic, and identify whether it is associated with a worse prognosis. METHODS: Between 1979 and 1999, 537 patients were registered in the psoriatic arthritis clinic and entered onto a longitudinal database. Patients were followed prospectively at six to 12 month intervals according to a standard protocol, and all information was entered onto a database. The database was searched for patients with dactylitis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population and chi(2) tests to relate dactylitis to radiographic changes. RESULTS: Dactylitis was documented in 260 patients (48%); 69% of the episodes were recorded at presentation to the clinic. Dactylitis affected feet only in 65% of cases, hands only in 24%, and both hands and feet in 12%. Recurrent dactylitis occurred in 44% of the patients. Increased radiological progression was noted in digits showing dactylitis compared with those without dactylitis (50% v 38%, respectively; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Dactylitis is common among patients with psoriatic arthritis. It most often affects the feet, in an asymmetrical distribution. It is associated with a greater degree of radiological damage than occurs in digits not affected by dactylitis.
AIM: To describe dactylitis in a large cohort of patients with psoriatic arthritis followed prospectively in a specialist clinic, and identify whether it is associated with a worse prognosis. METHODS: Between 1979 and 1999, 537 patients were registered in the psoriatic arthritis clinic and entered onto a longitudinal database. Patients were followed prospectively at six to 12 month intervals according to a standard protocol, and all information was entered onto a database. The database was searched for patients with dactylitis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population and chi(2) tests to relate dactylitis to radiographic changes. RESULTS: Dactylitis was documented in 260 patients (48%); 69% of the episodes were recorded at presentation to the clinic. Dactylitis affected feet only in 65% of cases, hands only in 24%, and both hands and feet in 12%. Recurrent dactylitis occurred in 44% of the patients. Increased radiological progression was noted in digits showing dactylitis compared with those without dactylitis (50% v 38%, respectively; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Dactylitis is common among patients with psoriatic arthritis. It most often affects the feet, in an asymmetrical distribution. It is associated with a greater degree of radiological damage than occurs in digits not affected by dactylitis.
Authors: B Fournié; L Crognier; C Arnaud; L Zabraniecki; V Lascaux-Lefebvre; V Marc; E Ginesty; V Andrieu; C Dromer; A Fournié Journal: Rev Rhum Engl Ed Date: 1999-10
Authors: C T Ritchlin; A Kavanaugh; D D Gladman; P J Mease; P Helliwell; W-H Boehncke; K de Vlam; D Fiorentino; O Fitzgerald; A B Gottlieb; N J McHugh; P Nash; A A Qureshi; E R Soriano; W J Taylor Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2008-10-24 Impact factor: 19.103