Psoriatic arthritis. Clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a considerable rise in the incidence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and an increase in the number of cases of its severe course, which leads to the marked deterioration of quality of life (QL), to disability and early disability. PsA is characterized by its chronic progressive course, the development of joint destruction and ankylosis, multiple intra-articular osteolysis, spondylitis and frequently accompanied by various comorbidities. The important aspects of the prevention of joint functional disorders and erosion and their successful therapy are early diagnosis of PsA in patients with psoriasis (Ps) and timely consultation with a rheumatologist. The early use of pathogenetically sound therapy for PsA reduces the likelihood of irreversible damage to the joints, spine, and viscera in these patients. The main goal of PsA pharmacotherapy is to achieve remission or minimal activity of a disease (arthritis, spondylitis, enthesitis, dactylitis, and Ps), to slow or prevent radiological progression, to increase life expectancy, to improve QL for patients, and to lower the risk of comorbidities. These guidelines have been worked out jointly by rheumatologists and dermatovenereologists in order to improve the diagnosis of PsA in patients with Ps and to timely initiate adequate therapy.