Re: aortic valve disease caused by psoriatic arthritis

[Guest guest]

There seems to be a link, although it is not known to be causal. There

is a lot of research being done on this. It appears to be more closely

linked with ankylosing spondilitis than with other forms of PA,

although it has been reported in all forms.

You can Google for " psoriatic arthritis " " aortic valve " and get lots of

hits of abstracts of current research.

best regards,

sherry z

--- In , " arie1956 " <arie1956@...>

Do any of you know whether Psoriatic Arthritis could cause Aortic Valve Disease?

[Guest guest]

Here's one page, for example:

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1954.htm

Pertinent quote from that article:

" Extra-articular features [of psoriatic arthritis] include the

following:

Extra-articular features are observed less frequently in patients

with psoriatic arthritis than in those with RA. Patients with

psoriatic arthritis have a predilection for synovitis to affect

flexor tendon sheaths with sparing of the extensor tendon sheath;

both are commonly involved in persons with RA. Subcutaneous nodules

are rare in patients with psoriatic arthritis. If nodules are present

in a patient who has psoriasis and arthritis, particularly if the RF

titer is positive, they suggest the coincidental occurrence of

psoriasis and RA.

Ocular involvement may occur in 30% of patients with psoriatic

arthritis, including conjunctivitis in 20% and acute anterior uveitis

in 7%. In patients with uveitis, 43% have sacroiliitis and 40% are

HLA-B27–positive. Scleritis and keratoconjunctivitis sicca are rare.

Inflammation of the aortic valve root, which may lead to

insufficiency, has been described in 6 patients with psoriatic

arthritis and is similar to that observed more frequently in persons

with ankylosing spondylitis or Reiter syndrome. Occasionally,

patients may develop secondary amyloidosis. "

hope this helps,

sherry z

[Guest guest]

Arie, here's another one:

http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic578.htm

Quote:

" Systemic involvement can occur with ocular changes (30%),

conjunctivitis, episcleritis, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Aortic

valve disease has also been described. Because of the high skin

turnover, hyperuricemia and gout can occur, coinciding with the

psoriasis. "

I found this mention of gout interesting as my rheumy and I just

today discussed how the breakdown of skin can release uric acid and

cause gout attacks. The primary disease would be PA, not gout - the

PA would be causing the gout. She thinks the last big flare I had,

which lasted almost the whole month of October and was mostly in my

right foot (ball and toes) may have been a gout attack caused by the

P.

Let me know if you need more links.

hope you're feeling better,

sherry z

[Guest guest]

I heard from my Rhuemy, that it can cause a leaky aortic valve which

is what I think you are talking about. It causes inflamation of

your aortic valve. You can google, leaky aortic valve and RA and

you will probably find more about it. However, my doctor sent me to

the cardiologist because of the possiblity of this leaky valve, I

had a stress test and someother nuclear testing that they took

pictures of my heart. I tested okay for now and I hope that it will

stay that way. I hope that you will check out okay too! I have PA

and also test postivive for RA genically and generally with a low

reading for RA. I have horrible PA and I take humira and

methotrexate and it has helped a great deal without it I am turning

into a rock. Wishing you well, Audrey

>

> Do any of you know wether Psoriatic Arthitis could cause Aortic

> Valve Disease?