When patients with psoriasis develop joint pain, it is often hard to decide whether or not the pain is due to psoriatic arthritis (PsA). At this time, doctors use information from the history and physical exam to determine the diagnosis. X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound have been used to help with the diagnosis but all three have limitations. A newer imaging technique, whole body Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) uses the idea that inflammatory cells take up sugar to locate inflammation in the body. Because patients with PsA have inflammatory cells in their joints and tendons, this type of scan allows the physician to take a picture of the whole body and locate inflammation. The investigators have found that some patients with psoriasis (but without arthritis) have inflammation in joints and tendons even before the patient has symptoms. In this study, the investigators will explore how well PET/CT works for assessing inflammation in patients with PsA. This would be a very exciting tool that could be used to find and treat inflammation before it causes damage or pain.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
12
FDG-PET/CT is a type of imaging used currently to look for cancer. We are using it to look at inflammation within the joints.
University of Pennsylvania Division of Rheumatology
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Primary outcome is inflammation as measured by SUVmax and metabolic volumetric product in the joints and entheses.
Time frame: At the discretion of the PI
Correlation of local inflammation in joints and enthesis with systemic inflammatory markers including IL6 and high sensitivity CRP.
Time frame: At the discretion of the PI
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