Aortitis in patients with psoriatic arthropathy: report of two cases and review of the literature

Aortitis, which is well described in patients with other spondyloarthritides, has been rarely cited in relation to psoriatic arthropathy (PsA). Two patients with known PsA, who developed aortitis, are reported herein. The PubMed database was searched using the following keywords: aortitis, Takaysu arteritis, PsA, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease. The relevant articles were critically reviewed and pertinent data organized. Analysis of 5 cases of aortitis in patients with PsA, including the 2 cases reported herein, revealed no specific pattern of PsA joint involvement in the patients who developed aortitis. All aortic segments can be involved and complications, such as insufficiency of the aortic valve and stenosis of the major aortic branches, have been described. The genetic association involving the IL12B locus may be involved in the clinical association of aortitis and spondyloarthritis.