PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL-FEATURES OF JUVENILE PSORIATIC-ARTHRITIS IN 425 PSORIATIC PATIENTS

The aim of this study was to define the prevalence and clinical featur es of Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis (JPsA). According to the definition by Ansell and Bywaters, we identified the population at risk of JPsA in 425 patients with psoriasis with onset occurring before the age of 31. Among these, 85 were younger than 16 gears. Five patients with JPs A,were found (prevalence 1.0%). All had a family history of psoriasis and onset of skin disease in the age range 10 to 20 years. Arthritis p receded psoriasis in two cases, while in the remainder the converse oc curred. The interval between the onset of cutaneous and articular invo lvement never exceeded 8 years. Previous studies reported the low freq uency of JPsA among juvenile arthritides. Our data appear to underline the rarity of the arthritic form.