Clinical features of Korean patients with psoriatic arthritis

Choi, Hyo Jin; Lee, Yun Jong; Park, Jung Jin; Lee, Jung Chan; Lee, Eun Young; Lee, Eun Bong; Baek, Han Joo; Youn, Jae Il; Song, Yeong Wook

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of our study were to reassess the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Korean patients with psoriasis and to evaluate their clinical features according to gender.
METHODS
We evaluated 156 consecutive patients with psoriasis who visited the dermatology clinic in Seoul National University Hospital between the September 2004 and January 2005. A dermatologist diagnosed psoriasis and determined its type and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Medical interview, joint examination and diagnosis of PsA were made by a rheumatologist.
RESULTS
Twenty-two patients (14.1%) were diagnosed with PsA among patients with psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis were more frequent in patients with PsA (47.4%) than those without arthritis (9.2%), and plaque psoriasis were less frequent in patients with PsA (42.1%) than those without arthritis (82.6%). Nail change was found in 77.3%, being more common compared to those without PsA (51.2%). Psoriasis was followed by arthritis in 81.8% of PsA patients with the interval of 15.3+/-9.7 years (mean+/-SD). Spondylitis was predominant (36.4%). Clinical features were similar between men and women. However, males with PsA had a shorter duration of psoriasis, and older onset of arthritis than females.
CONCLUSION
We characterized the clinical features of PsA in Korean patients on single center base. The prevalence of PsA in patients with psoriasis was 14.1%. Plaque type psoriasis was less common and pustular psoriasis was more common in patients with PsA than those without arthritis. Males with PsA had a shorter duration of psoriasis and older onset of arthritis than females.