Case series analysis of psoriatic arthritis: a two‐centre experience

Abstract

AbstractAim: To provide the first case series analysis for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Malaysia.Methods: Patient records were studied from rheumatology clinics in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital and Putrajaya Hospital in Malaysia.Results: Thirty‐one patients from two rheumatology centres were studied. Thirteen patients (41.9%) were male and 18 patients (58.1%) were female. Nineteen patients (61.3%) were Malays, four (12.9%) were Chinese, seven (22.6%) were Indians and one (3.2%) was a Sikh. The majority of patients were in the > 50 years age‐group (11 [35.5%]) followed by the 41–50 years age‐group (10 [32.3%]). Thirteen patients (41.9%) had the disease since 41–50 years of age. Twenty‐three patients (77.4%) had no family history of PsA. Twenty‐three patients (74.2%) had psoriasis first, seven (22.6%) had arthritis first and one (3.2%) developed psoriasis and arthritis at the same time. Twenty‐four patients (77.4%) had positive activity correlation for skin and arthritis. The majority of patients had symmetrical arthritis (20 [64.5%]) and chronic plaque‐like lesions (22 [71.0%]). These patients were on NSAIDS and methotrexate (14 [45.2%]). One patient (3.6%) needed surgery for joint replacement.Conclusion: Patients who were diagnosed as having PsA were Malays, age group of more than 50, disease onset at 41–50 years of age, no family history, had symmetrical and chronic plaque lesions, had psoriasis first and needed NSAIDS and methotrexate.