Comparison of radiological severity in psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To compare the radiological severity of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Patients were identified from the University of Toronto PsA and RA databases. Using the earliest available radiographs, each RA patient was m atched to a single PsA patient on the basis of sex, age, and disease durati on. Two rheumatologists blinded to the patient's diagnosis scored the radio graphs using the modified Steinbrocker method. Results, PsA and RA groups were similar with respect to demographics as wel l as the use elf disease modifying antirheumatic medications, No significan t difference in Steinbrocker score for the hands and feet or the hands only was noted. Patients with RA had a higher radiological score in the. feet. The 2 groups were similar in the number of joints with significant radiolog ical damage (Steinbrocker 3 and 3), Conclusion. Overall the radiological severity in the hands and feet of pati ents with PsA was comparable to that of patients with RA.