Psoriatic Arthritis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Jan 24, 2022
  • Author: Anwar Al Hammadi, MD, FRCPC; Chief Editor: Herbert S Diamond, MD  more...
  • Print
DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Psoriasiform skin lesions may be observed in association with reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of diuretic hormone.

The differential diagnosis also includes rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and spine. Enteropathic arthritis (arthritis of inflammatory bowel disease) should also be considered, and spotted bone disease has been reported in a patient with psoriatic arthritis. [62]

Lupus erythematosus can produce a rash similar to a psoriatic rash. Usually, however, lupus-associated arthritis is not as deforming as psoriatic arthritis.

Secondary syphilis can also cause a rash similar to a psoriatic rash. However, although an arthropathy can be associated with syphilis, it occurs years after the skin lesions have cleared in an untreated patient.

Ankylosing spondylitis can produce back pain similar to that associated with psoriatic arthritis but without the associated peripheral arthropathy or skin lesions.

Differential Diagnoses