The meaning of dactylitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis

الملخص EN

This study aimed to describe dactylitis in a cohort of patients resident in Kuwait with psoriatic arthritis followed prospectively in our Rheumatology clinic and identify whether dactylitis is associated with a worse outcome in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Between 2005 and 2008, (53) patients with psoriatic arthritis in Kuwait were followed prospectively every two months intervals and all patients files information were searched for patients with dactylitis.

Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population and x2 tests to relate dactylitis to radiographic changes. Dactylitis was documented in 32 patients (59%) ; 70% most of the cases were recorded at presentation to the clinic.

Dactylitis affected feet only in 63% of cases, hands only in 12%, and both hands and feet in 5%.

Recurrent dactylitis occurred in 36% of the patients.

Increased radiological progression was noted in digits showing dactylitis compared with those without dactylitis (54% v 31%, respectively ; p<0.0001). It is concluded that dactylitis is common among patients with psoriatic arthritis resident in Kuwait.

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.