Comparison of radiological severity in psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective: To compare the radiological severity of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Patients were identified from the University of Toronto PsA and RA databases. Using the earliest available radiographs, each RA patient was matched to a single PsA patient on the basis of sex, age, and disease duration. Two rheumatologists blinded to the patient's diagnosis scored the radiographs using the modified Steinbrocker method.

Results: PsA and RA groups were similar with respect to demographics as well as the use of disease modifying antirheumatic medications. No significant difference in Steinbrocker score for the hands and feet or the hands only was noted. Patients with RA had a higher radiological score in the feet. The 2 groups were similar in the number of joints with significant radiological damage (Steinbrocker 3 and 4). CONCLUSION; Overall the radiological severity in the hands and feet of patients with PsA was comparable to that of patients with RA.