Photochemotherapy and Psoriatic Arthritis

A Prospective Study

  1. SUSAN G. PERLMAN, M.D.;
  2. LYNN H. GERBER, M.D.;
  3. R. MICHAEL ROBERTS, M.D.;
  4. THOMAS P. NIGRA, M.D.; and
  5. WERNER F. BARTH, M.D.
  1. Washington, D.C.; and Bethesda, Maryland

    Abstract

    We have studied the temporal relation between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in 27 patients receiving photochemotherapy for treatment of psoriasis. Patients were classified as either spondylitic or nonspondylitic. For spondylitic patients, psoriasis was difficult to control, arthritis did not improve, and skin and joint activity appeared to vary independently. In contrast, 67% of nonspondylitic patients receiving photochemotherapy treatment remained clear of psoriasis, with 49% mean improvement in articular index. There was an inverse relation between initial percentage of psoriasis and improvement in peripheral arthritis. These results suggest that aggressive management of psoriasis helps control synovitis in at least a subgroup of patients with psoriatic arthritis.

    Article and Author Information

    • ▸From the Sections of Rheumatology and Dermatology, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C.; and the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

    • Grant support: in part by a grant from The Arthritis and Rheumatism Association of Metropolitan Washington.

    • ▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Werner F. Barth, M.D.; Section of Rheumatology, Washington Hospital Center, Room 2A-58, 110 Irving Street, N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20010.

      • Received March 26, 1979.
      • Accepted August 7, 1979.
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    This Article

    1. Ann Intern Med November 1, 1979 vol. 91 no. 5 717-722
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