Musculoskeletal and nail ultrasound findings in children with psoriasis: a case-control study
Authors' conclusion
Ultrasound is a useful tool for evaluating inflammatory joint and nail findings that may help delineate subclinical joint inflammation in children with psoriasis.
Study context
- Population
- Children with psoriasis not on systemic therapy, without clinical arthritis, and healthy controls
- Participants
- 15 vs 13
- Comparison
- Children with psoriasis vs healthy controls
- Psoriasisn = 15
- Healthy controlsn = 13reference
- Outcome
- Clinical and subclinical joint and nail abnormalities on US (B-mode and PD-mode)
Methodological detailspilot study, age- and sex-matched controls
- Pilot study
- Age- and sex-matched controls
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Subclinical synovitis in finger, knee and ankle joints
- No statistically significant difference in the comparison of each specific joint
- Psoriasis vs Healthy controls: P = 0.047
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Nail bed thickness
P < 0.001
Abnormal nail structure
P < 0.001
| Outcome | Estimate | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Within psoriasis: abnormal vs normal nails, nail plate and nail bed thicknessAbnormal nails vs Normal nails | nail plate thickness 0.4 vs. 0.35 mm | P = 0.003 |
| Within psoriasis: abnormal vs normal nails, nail plate and nail bed thicknessAbnormal nails vs Normal nails | nail bed thickness 1.8 vs. 1.6 mm | P = 0.006 |
- Positive PD-mode findings in nail bed and nail matrix · more common in controls
- both p < 0.001
Entheseal PD positivity
- PD positivity at entheses in 2 patients with psoriasis and at 3 entheseal sites of 2 healthy children
Abnormal nail structure
- Nail plate and nail matrix thickness similar; Type II (Wortsman) most frequent
Original publication
Musculoskeletal and nail ultrasound findings in children with psoriasis: a case-control study. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. Published 16 May 2026. doi:10.
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