Calciphylaxis during the course of psoriatic arthritis patient. Is it coincidence? A case report

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Calciphylaxis manifests clinically by skin ischemia and necrosis and histologically by calcification of dermal arterioles. Usually, it occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis or in patients who had a kidney transplant. Here, the authors present a case of calciphylaxis occurring in a patient with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Case presentation: A 66-year-old Syrian male with a history of psoriatic arthritis presented for evaluation of 2-month nonpainful ulcers on his feet and hands that were treated with warfarin. Biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of calciphylaxis. The patient received sodium thiosulfate, zoledronic acid, intralesional sodium thiosulfate injections, and an intravenous infusion of vitamin K with dramatic improvement. At the 3-month follow-up, his wounds had been completely remitted. Discussion: Nonuremic calciphylaxis occurs in many cases, like vitamin D administration, vitamin K antagonists’ administration, chronic inflammation, and others. The association between calciphylaxis and psoriasis was reported only in four cases in the literature; meanwhile, this was the first case that described calciphylaxis in the setting of psoriatic arthritis. Conclusion: A suspicion of calciphylaxis should be maintained in patients with underlying inflammatory mechanism diseases.

Low Vitamin K Status in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris: A Pilot Study

“…The literature describes five cases of dermal calcification in patients with PV, of which three were on dialysis due to renal failure and two were reportedly without kidney disease. This condition is most frequently associated with chronic kidney disease [ 41 ] but also with malignancy, liver disease, vitamin D administration, treatment with vitamin K antagonists and chronic inflammation [ 42 ]. It is noteworthy that in these cases, an evaluation of the MGP status would have been compelling.…”