L'artrite psoriasica delle falangi in alcune tipologie occupazionali: valutazione dei danni articolari, cutanei e psicosociali in uno studio su 69 casi

Background The psoriatic arthritis in the 95% of cases involves the phalangeal distal joints (PFA) and can produce articular and/or skin and/or psychosocial damages Objectives Have been described the techniques that can appraise the damages and the psychosocial aspects in same occupational types. Materials and Methods Were enrolled in this study 35 men and 34 women, aged 31-48 years, with PFA. Have been appraised: - articular damages by with the ultrasound test (US) and the Range of Motion (ROM) - skin damages by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index - the psychosocial damages by the questionnaire o the quality of the occupational life. Results Have been observed skin lesion in 54 cases (78,2608%), psychosocial damages in 56 cases (81,1594%). The clinical importance has been described in 4 progressive degrees. The correlations of Spearman showed p < 0,0001 among US, ROM and questionnaire results. Discussion The “visible” lesions and the reduction in “movement” of the fingers can produce embarrassment and difficulty of relationship (socialization). Such this state of uneasiness (psicosocial damage) can interfere on the quality of the life and on the working activity. Besides it can determine the onset of the skin lesions or it can derive from the presence of the articular and/or skin lesions Conclusions The techniques can help the physician to define the diagnosis, value the therapy and appraise the damages.