Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy associated with psoriasis. PsA is classified among the seronegative spondyloarthropathies, characterized by joint destruction, extra-articular involvement (i.e. eye, gut, bowel, ureter), and a negative rheumatoid factor. The clinical features of TMJ involvement are actually much complex. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a heterogeneous group of pathologies affecting the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ), the jaw muscles, or both. There are few data in literature for the association of Psoriasis or PsA and TMD although we know that a possible trait d’union between these three entities could be represented by the inflammatory pathway.

Methods: From November 2011 to December 2012 a total number of 157 patients have been screened at the outpatient service of the “Clinica Dermatologica, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma”. A group of 80 healthy people (no diagnosis of PsO, PsA or TMDs) served as control. Considered the similarity of pathogenethic mechanisms for joint involvement in PsA and TMDs the authors wanted to investigate the comorbidity of the two pathologies. TMJ involvement might be considered the first sign of arthropatic involvement of PsA.

Results: If we consider the whole number of TMJ positive patients and the radiological results we found and impressive series of bone erosion and remodelling of the mandibular condyle.

Conclusions: Comparing the TMJ damage to the PsA the systemic treatment for TMDs should be taken into account not only to limit the local progress of the pathology but as the prevention of PsA typical progression.