Inflammatory arthritis and crystal arthropathy: Current concepts of skin and systemic manifestations

Publication date: July–August 2018

Source: Clinics in Dermatology, Volume 36, Issue 4

Author(s): Mahdieh Fazel, Joseph F. Merola, Drew J.B. Kurtzman

Abstract

Systemic inflammatory disorders frequently involve the skin, and when cutaneous disease develops, such dermatologic manifestations may represent the initial sign of disease and may also provide valuable prognostic information about the underlying disorder. Familiarity with the various skin manifestations of systemic disease is therefore paramount and increases the likelihood of accurate diagnosis, which may facilitate the implementation of an appropriate treatment strategy. An improvement in quality of life and a reduction in the degree of morbidity may also be a realized benefit of accurate recognition of these skin signs. With this context in mind, this review highlights the salient clinical features and unique dermatologic manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis, adult-onset Still's disease, and the crystal arthropathy, gout.