Review
Role of ultrasound in the interception of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis
N. Possemato1, A. Rai2, M. Oliva3, N. Girolimetto4, C. Salvarani5, A. Marchesoni6
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy. niccolo.possemato@ausl.re.it
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia; and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia; and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- Division of Internal Medicine, Azienda Unitaria Sanitaria Locale of Bologna, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia; and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
CER18427
Review
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PMID: 40658485 [PubMed]
Received: 09/12/2024
Accepted : 03/03/2025
In Press: 10/07/2025
Abstract
Skin psoriasis (PsO) often precedes the development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with a PsO to PsA conversion rate of about 1.5–2% per year. A careful observation of the PsO patients may allow early detection, treatment, and maybe even prevention, of the rheumatic condition. In PsA patients, musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) imaging can be used to investigate the presence of enthesitis, synovitis, tenosynovitis, and paratenonitis and this imaging technique has been shown to be more sensitive than clinical examination. MSK-US may reveal the presence of synovial and entheseal inflammation even in PsO patients without musculoskeletal symptoms and these findings might be considered indicative of subclinical PsA, although a clinical evaluation is essential to prevent overdiagnosis and overtreatment. This narrative review provides an overview of the transition from PsO to PsA with a focus on the value of US examination in this context.