Detection of Subclinical Skin Manifestation in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis by Fluorescence Optical Imaging

Abstract

Objectives:To investigate the frequency of subclinical skin inflammation in both hands by fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) in patients with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis (Pso/PsA) vs. rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy individuals, and to correlate these findings with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors.Patients and Methods:The FOI scans were analyzed retrospectively to detect clinically invisible skin enhancement (0-3 scale) in both hands without relationship to underlying joints or blood vessels. We further characterized the FOI patterns and sorted the scans into groups based on the assumed diagnosis (Pso/PsA, RA and healthy controls), which was compared with the physician’s diagnosis. Furthermore, the associations between CV risk factors and imaging findings were investigated by regression analyses.Results:We included FOI scans of patients with Pso/PsA (n=80), RA (n=78) and healthy controls (n=25). Subclinical skin enhancement on the back of their hands was more common in Pso/PsA (72.5%) than in RA patients (20.5%) and healthy individuals (28.0%) (p<0.001). Based on the FOI pattern, the majority of patients with Pso/PsA (72.5%), RA (76.9%) and healthy controls (68.0%) were classified correctly using the physician-based diagnosis as reference (overall agreement of 74%, kappa=0.57). No CV risk factors except body weight (kg) was associated with subclinical skin enhancement (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06; p<0.001).Conclusion:Subclinical subdermal skin inflammation was common in Pso/PsA patients using FOI. Based on the FOI pattern, most patients with Pso/PsA and were classified with the correct diagnosis. We demonstrated an important influence of the body weight on our FOI results. FOI may be a helpful novel tool to study microcirculation in rheumatic diseases with skin involvement.

Polydopamine/IR820 nanoparticles as topical phototheranostics for inhibiting psoriasiform lesions through dual photothermal and photodynamic treatments

“…The cyanine dye ICG can largely accumulate in the inflamed psoriasis site to diagnose the disease severity. 61 Our data also demonstrated high IR820 accumulation in psoriasiform skin with prominent inflammation (the group of nanoparticle treatments without NIR). This characteristic was useful for monitoring the therapeutic effect of psoriasis treatments.…”

Brodalumab Is Associated with High Rates of Complete Clearance and Quality of Life Improvement: A Subgroup Analysis of Patients with Psoriasis and Concomitant Psoriatic Arthritis

“…The early diagnosis and treatment of PsA are crucial to reduce the risk of joint damage, disability and comorbidities [7][8][9]. Since PsA usually occurs after the development of psoriasis [10], it is important that patients with psoriasis are routinely screened for signs of PsA.…”