Psoriatic Arthritis With Dactylitis: A Case Report and Concise Review of Treatment Options

Abstract

Dactylitis is characterized by generalized swelling of a finger or toe. Though it is commonly seen, the literature on psoriatic dactylitis is scant, with the majority consisting of solitary case reports. The literature on the treatment of dactylitis is considerably more limited. Dactylitis usually responds to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Numerous randomized studies have lately shown the effectiveness of different biological agents in the treatment and maintenance of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and associated dactylitis. In primary care practice, a patient may present with dactylitis without a history of psoriasis. In such cases, an attempt should be made to detect the underlying psoriasis by looking for a psoriatic patch in hidden areas viz. skin folds, groin or scalp. Here, we describe a case of PsA with dactylitis in this case report, with an emphasis on treatment and outcome. We also attempted to focus on the various treatment options for dactylitis.