Immune-Competent Cell Manifestations in Psoriatic Arthritis Achilles Tendons

Summary

Tendon pathologies (enthesitis) are a characteristic component of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and are observed in 35% to 50% of PsA patients. The Achilles tendon is one of the most commonly affected sites. This condition often causes great morbidity and loss of quality of life, and response only suboptimal to current intervention strategies. One of the main obstacles for the development of effective treatment methods is that the disease mechanisms remain poorly understood. To our knowledge, no one has yet ascertained the presence and function of immune-competent cells and inflammatory markers in tendons tissue from PsA patients suffering from Achilles enthesitis.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Fulfilling the CASPAR criteria
* Insertional Achilles tendon pain
* Ultrasonic findings of inflammatory disease at the painful Achilles tendon insertion (= enthesitis) defined as abnormally hypoechoic (loss of normal fibrillar architecture) and/or thickened tendon at its bony attachment, seen in two perpendicular planes that may exhibit a Doppler signal or bony changes, including enthesophytes, and erosions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Other inflammatory rheumatic diseases than PsA
* Ultrasonic signs of complete rupture of the Achilles tendon
* Not wishing to participate or not suited for project evaluation

Conditions3

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