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Dactylitis: Pathogenesis and clinical considerations

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Abstract

Dactylitis is considered a hallmark feature of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but it is found in other spondyloarthropathies, especially reactive arthritis, and other conditions (eg, sarcoidosis, gout, sickle cell disease, and a variety of infections). Dactylitis is dif. cult to define and assess with any level of consensus and consistency in PsA. A new objective measure has been developed to make assessment more uniform for clinical trials. The underlying pathophysiology has also been dif.cult to determine in spondyloarthropathy: synovitis, tenosynovitis, and enthesitis have all been recognized. The pathophysiology in other conditions varies but usually involves soft tissue and sometimes involves bone or joint. In non-spondyloarthropathies, treatment is determined by the underlying cause. Research on dactylitis treatment in PsA suffers from a paucity of trials and inconsistent outcome measurement. The only drug with good evidence of benefit from randomized controlled trials thus far is infliximab.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, 36, Clarendon Road, S2 9NZ, Leeds, UK

    Philip S. Helliwell DM, PhD, FRCP

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  1. Paul J. Healy MBChB, FRACP
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  2. Philip S. Helliwell DM, PhD, FRCP
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Correspondence to Philip S. Helliwell DM, PhD, FRCP.

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Healy, P.J., Helliwell, P.S. Dactylitis: Pathogenesis and clinical considerations. Curr Rheumatol Rep 8, 338–341 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-006-0062-y

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