PSORIASIS IS AN IMMUNE-MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY skin condition that affects up to 3% of the population.1 Approximately 30% of patients with psoriasis develop an inflammatory form of arthritis, namely psoriatic arthritis.2 Psoriatic arthritis affects peripheral and axial joints, as well as the entheses, or tendon insertions.2 Dactylitis, in which inflammation of the entire digit makes it appear sausage-shaped, results from involvement of joints, tendons, and soft tissues. Enthesi-tis has only recently been appreciated as an important feature of psoriatic arthritis, and according to the Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis criteria, a patient with inflammatory enthesitis may be classified as having psoriatic arthritis if he or she has psoriasis and a negative rheumatoid factor.3 Psoriatic arthritis may be severe, leading to joint damage, deformities, impaired function, and early mortality.
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