The impact of pregnancy in an autoimmune disease

Abstract

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disease associated with psoriasis, usually exhibiting peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis, and spondylitis.1,2 Nail lesions (pitting and onycholysis) are present in 80– 90% of patients with PsA. The incidence of PsA is 6 per 100,000 per year and the prevalence is 1–2 per 1,000 in the general population.1 The annual incidence of PsA among patients with psoriasis is 2.7%, and the prevalence of PsA in patients with psoriasis varies between 6% and 41%.1 In the majority of patients, psoriasis frequently precedes the development of arthritis.1,2 PsA diagnosis is established based on clinical history, physical examination and joints imaging, there are no specific tests or biomarkers.1,2 Radiographs usually reveal evidence of asymmetric sacroiliitis, spinal or peripheral joints diseases, as well as erosions, new bone formation and ankylosis.2 The Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria3 may help establishing the correct diagnosis.1 Arthritis greatly affects the quality of life of patients with psoriasis, therefore treatment should be initiated as soon as possible in order to delay or stop joint damage.4