Key clinical point: The presence of clinical or subclinical dactylitis represented a more active and severe form of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), characterized by increased disease activity, swollen joint counts (SJCs), and tender joint counts (TJCs).
Major finding: PsA with dactylitis (clinical or subclinical) vs without dactylitis was associated with higher median disease activity index in PsA (DAPSA) scores (25.5 vs 16.1; P < .01), SJCs (4 vs 2; P < .001), and TJCs (4 vs 3; P < .01). PsA with subclinical dactylitis vs without dactylitis was associated with even higher DAPSA scores (27.2 vs 16.1; P < .05), SJCs (4.5 vs 2; P < .01), and TJCs (5 vs 3; P < .05).
Study details: This case-control study included 223 patients with PsA who were stratified on the basis of the presence of dactylitis (clinical or subclinical) or its absence at baseline.
Disclosures: This study was supported by the Youth Clinical Research Project of Peking University First Hospital and other sources. No conflicts of interest were reported.
Source: Song Z, Geng Y, Zhang X, Deng X, Zhang Z. Subclinical dactylitis represents a more active phenotype of psoriatic arthritis. Joint Bone Spine. Published online September 24, 2024. Source