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Twenty-four patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis participated in a double blind cross-over trial of peroral zinc sulphate versus placebo (Trial I). Eleven patients continued an open trial of peroral zinc sulphate for an additional 24 weeks (Trial II). Remission was assessed by the disappearance of symptoms (overall condition, morning stiffness, functional capacity of the joints and joint pains), and signs (mobility and swelling of the joints). Reduction of joint pains as well as increase of mobility and decrease of swelling of several joints were observed. the clinical signs of reduced inflammation were accompanied biochemically by reduction of serum immunoglobulins and an increase of serum albumin. The need for analgesics was diminished. Severe side-effects and changes in the psoriatic skin involvement were not seen. Oral zinc sulphate seems to be valuable in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

The Capillary characteristics of the nail fold area were examined and compared by capillary microscopy in 31 patients with psoriasis (PS) and 34 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PA). 70 healthy persons served as controls. Significantly shorter mean capillary loop lengths and characteristic morphological capillary changes were found both in patients with PS and in patients with PA as compared to the controls. The number of hemorrhages and sluggishness of blood flow was more pronounced in both groups of patients as compared to the control group, but only significantly so in patients with PA. The only significant difference between the PS and the PA groups was a higher subpapillary plexus visibility (SPV) index in the latter. It is concluded that most of the capillary changes demonstrable in patients with PA are clinical manifestations of PS. The difference in the SPV index, however, warrants a follow-up study to elucidate whether patients with PS and a high SPV index are likely to develop arthritis.

The excretion of pseudouridine in the urine of 17 patients with psoriasis was significantly increased. The largest increase was found in patients with psoriatic arthritis. No correlation between the extent of psoriasis and pseudouridine excretion was found. The excretion of pseudouridine was followed in 10 of the 17 patients during treatment with anthralin or PUVA. Pseudouridine excretion decreased significantly during therapy. The possible application of pseudouridine excretion in monitoring the disease activity in psoriasis is discussed.

Six patients with long-standing, moderately active plaque/nummular psoriasis were treated with either plasmapheresis or sham-plasmapheresis once weekly for 7 weeks in a double-blind controlled trial. No difference was found between active treatment and placebo. The marginal effect, which might be demonstrated by a larger study, is too small to justify this expensive modality of treatment.

The nailfold capillaries of 35 patients with psoriatic arthritis and 30 with rheumatoid arthritis were studied by capillary microscopy and the findings compared. Seventy healthy subjects served as controls. The pronounced subpapillary plexus visibility, greater number of vessels and their elongation are indicative of rheumatoid arthritis, while shorter, fewer capillaries and especially characteristic psoriatic capillaries, when present, suggest psoriatic arthritis. Sluggish blood flow, higher number of hemorrhages and higher subpappillary plexus visibility are common to both patient groups as opposed to the controls.

The results of a double-blind prospective study on patients with uncomplicated psoriasis (Ps), psoriasis with arthritis (PA) and a control group (C) are reported. The three groups were matched for age and sex. In the Ps and C groups no significant difference of the radiographic and scintigraphic results was found. The PA group showed significantly more scintigraphic accumulations compared to the two other groups, but no connection between scintigraphy and joint symptoms was found. The patients in the Ps and PA groups were treated with zinc sulfate per os for 8 weeks with no change in the radiographic findings. The PA group showed less and the Ps group more scintigraphic lesions after treatment. During treatment a small but significant decrease in hemoglobin, serum iron and gamma globulin was shown.