Radiographic signs in the temporomandibular and hand joints in patients with psoriatic arthritis

The temporomandibular (TMJ) and hand joints of 64 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PA) were examined radiographically with panoramic tomography and dorsovolar projection. The associations between radiographic signs in the condyle of the TMJ and finger joints were analyzed with Persons's product-moment correlation coefficient. 26 patients had radiographic signs in their TMJs. Arthritic signs were seen in 14 and degenerative signs in 12 patients. 55 patients had radiographic signs in their hands; 33 patients had arthritic and 22 degenerative signs. In the TMJ statistically significant correlations were found among erosion, flattening, and cortical sclerosis and also between osteophyte and cortical sclerosis. In the finger joints, erosion correlated significantly with dislocation and loss of space. Erosion in the condyle of the TMJ was the only sign that correlated with changes in the finger joints such as erosion, dislocation, and ankylosis. Erosion in the TMJ also correlated with erosion in the metacarpophalangeal joint and wrist. 25 refs., 4 figs