PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN THE EVOLUTION OF PS ORIATIC-ARTHRITIS

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the evolution and pr ognostic factors in the patients with psoriatic arthritis. PATIENTS AN D METHODS: We have reviewed retrospectively the follow-up of 96 patien ts with psoriatic arthritis seen in our service. We have collected the following data at onset of the disease: age and sex, age at onset of cutaneous and articular manifestations, clinical form, distal interpha langeal affection, axial involvement, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody and HLA antigen. Likewise, we have collected the present functional class. We have correlated the da ta at onset of the disease with the present functional class. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD age of 96 patients (48 male, 48 female) was 51 +/- 14 yea rs. The majority of patients (78%) were in ACR functional class I or I I. The most frequent clinical form was the oligoarticular (46%), excep t in the female group, in which the most frequent was the symmetric po lyarticular one (46%). We found statistically significant correlation between the present functional class and the clinical form at onset an d the disease duration. We didn't found a statistically correlation be tween the present functional class and the axial involvement. CONCLUSI ONS: Patients with psoriatic arthritis and symmetric polyarthritis are more frequently female, and have a worse prognosis. The axial involve ment does not imply a worse prognosis.