Radiological changes in the sacro-iliac joints and spine of patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.

The radiological changes in the peripheral joints of patients with psoriatic arthritis differ from those in cases of rheumatoid arthritis (Wright, 1961; Lassus, Mustakallio, and Laine, 1964; Sherman, 1952; di Vittorio, Viara, and Chiaudano, 1965; Tesarek, 1966; Sigler, 1966). Changes are also seen in the spine and sacro-iliac joints (Wright, 1961; Lassus and others, 1964; Sherman, 1952; Duthie, 1964; Traut, 1952, Smyth, 1966). In the last few years, many studies have appeared of the radiological changes in the spine in rheumatic diseases (di Vittorio and others, 1965; Traut, 1952; Ortenzi and Tomasini, 1964; Kaplan, Plotz, Nathanson, and Frank, 1964; Lucherini and Porzio, 1965; Robecchi and di Vittorio, 1965; Jajic and Kriz, 1966). In patients with psoriasis, symptoms referable to the spine are unusual without clinical evidence of peripheral arthritis or spinal involvement (Lassus and others, 1964; di Vittorio and others, 1965; Kaplan and others, 1964; Robecchi and di Vittorio, 1965). This paper presents the results of a study of the frequency and nature of involvement of the sacro-iliac joints and spine in patients with psoriatic arthritis (Ps.A) and in patients with psoriasis but without arthritis (Ps.O).