Abstract #1240

Tanner S, Tan A, Grainger A, McGonagle D, Emery P

MR microscopy techniques have been used to compare the distal interphalangeal joints in healthy volunteers and patients with psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis. The study has revealed more prominent inflammatory changes in psoriatic disease relative to those in osteoarthritis. Whilst these results are in accordance with the generally held views that psoriatic arthritis is primarily an inflammatory condition and osteoarthritis is associated with joint degeneration, there are some interesting parallels between these conditions. Our results show abnormalities in tendons and ligaments at clinical presentation in both conditions suggesting that biomechanical factors may affect the phenotypic expression of both diseases.