Involvement In Psoriatic Arthritis Research Articles

How Are We Addressing Axial Psoriatic Arthritis in Clinical Practice?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the musculoskeletal system, skin and nails. In addition to peripheral joints, inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints may occur. Yet, research into this axial phenotype has lagged behind partly because of the challenge in its clinical identification with a lack of specific clinical, molecular or imaging biomarkers. In the absence of a validated definition of what constitutes axial PsA (axPsA), guidelines for the management of axial involvement in PsA in clinical practice are scarce. On the basis of a literature review and their clinical expertise, a group of rheumatology experts provide their opinion to aid the diagnosis and management of axial PsA in clinical practice.

Head-to-head studies on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Given the ever-increasing number of approved therapies for the treatment of psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), head-to-head (H2H) comparative studies are essential. These are aimed primarily at acomparative analysis of treatment effectiveness. In both PsO and PsA, biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) have been shown to be superior to conventional therapies in H2H studies. In PsO interleukin 17 (IL-17) and IL-23 inhibitors proved superiority compared to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (etanercept and adalimumab) in several studies. Ustekinumab was more effective than etanercept, but less effective than IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors. Only afew H2H studies have been published on the treatment of PsA. In the Spirit H2H study ixekizumab was superior to adalimumab using acombined endpoint of arthritis and psoriasis response (ACR-50 and PASI-100). When looking at arthritic symptoms only (ACR-20), secukinumab was not significantly superior to adalimumab in the EXCEED study but was superior in terms of the effect on skin involvement (PASI90). Other H2H studies focused on the treatment of enthesitis (ECLIPSA study), the efficacy of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibition (SELECT-PSA-1) or the additional administration of methotrexate to bDMARD treatment (MUST study). The H2H data have been incorporated into the treatment guidelines and have led to IL-17 and IL-23 inhibition being preferred over TNF inhibition in cases of relevant skin involvement in PsA.

Axial Disease in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Challenging Domain in Clinical Practice.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting about one-third of individuals with psoriasis. Defining axial involvement in PsA (axPsA) remains debated. While rheumatologists guide clinical practice, consensus on axPsA is still lacking. This paper explores historical and upcoming definitions from the Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis (AXIS) study, which aims to establish a validated axPsA definition. Epidemiological data reveal diverse axPsA prevalence rates, emphasizing its complex relationship with peripheral arthritis and enthesitis. Unique genetic, clinical, and radiological features differentiate axPsA from ankylosing spondylitis (AS), necessitating refined classification criteria. The recommendations from the Assessment of Spondylarthritis international Society (ASAS) provide valuable guidance due to the limited direct evidence. Emerging therapies, including interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitors or Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, are under investigation for axPsA. Currently, secukinumab, an interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitor, is an evidence-based option for axPsA management. However, given the variability in individual patient responses and disease manifestations, personalized, evidence-based treatment approaches remain essential for optimizing patient outcomes. In the final section, two real-life cases illustrate the challenges in managing axPsA, emphasizing the importance of tailored therapies. Achieving precision in defining axPsA remains a formidable task, making detailed criteria essential for effective strategies and improving patient outcomes.

Spinal Lesions in Axial Psoriatic Disease: How Should They Be Identified and Quantified by Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

Proper assessment of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) requires assessment of all disease domains, including axial disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method of choice for evaluating axial involvement in PsA. When assessing patients with PsA for spinal involvement, it is important to assess both vertebral body lesions and posterolateral lesions, such as inflammation in facet joints and costovertebral joints, and enthesitis at spinous and transverse processes. The Canada-Denmark (CanDen) assessment system for spine MRIs is the preferred method for detailed evaluation of inflammation and structural damage at various anatomical locations in the spine, and it is reproducible and sensitive to change. The Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) has recently published MRI definitions of inflammatory and structural lesions in the spine, incorporating the CanDen definitions of spinal lesions on MRI. Applying the ASAS definitions and the CanDen assessment system in clinical practice and trials is recommended. Ongoing research/studies, not least the Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis (AXIS) study, may provide a data-driven definition of axial involvement in PsA. Ongoing research is expected to further improve and validate assessment tools for axial PsA and to provide a much-needed data-driven consensus-based definition of axial involvement in PsA.

GRAPPA 2023 Collaborative Research Network Meeting.

The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) Collaborative Research Network (CRN)/research committee met during the GRAPPA 2023 annual meeting. Updates were provided on GRAPPA research projects, including the Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis (AXIS), Axial Psoriatic Arthritis Molecular and Clinical Characterisation Study, Diagnostic Ultrasound Enthesitis Tool (DUET), and Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis of the Effectiveness of Advanced Therapies (SAGE) studies, as well as the Health Initiatives in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium European States (HIPPOCRATES) and Elucidating the Landscape of Immunoendotypes in Psoriatic Skin and Synovium (ELLIPSS) studies. The highlight of the meeting was a presentation and discussion on the use of digital tools to study psoriatic disease.

GRAPPA 2023: Major Projects, Key Advances, and Milestones.

At the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) 2023 annual meeting, members were updated on a number of ongoing activities during the key project update session. These activities included the Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis (AXIS) cohort, the Axial Psoriatic Arthritis Molecular and Clinical Characterization study, the Diagnostic Ultrasound Enthesitis Tool (DUET) study, the Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis of the Effectiveness of Advanced Therapies in Psoriatic Arthritis (SAGE-PsA) study, the Health Initiatives in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium European States (HIPPOCRATES), the GRAPPA slide library, and the GRAPPA treatment recommendations.

Exploring the Role of Microbiome Alterations in the Pathogenesis of Psoriatic Arthritis: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex, chronic inflammatory disease with intertwined dermatological and rheumatological manifestations, profoundly affecting patients’ quality of life. Recent advances have highlighted the potential role of microbiome alterations, both in the gut and skin, in the pathogenesis of PsA. This review synthesizes current research on the microbiome’s involvement in PsA, emphasizing the interplay between microbial dysbiosis and immune system modulation. Emerging evidence suggests that shifts in the composition and function of the gut and skin microbiota can trigger or exacerbate PsA by promoting systemic inflammation and autoimmune responses. Studies have identified specific microbial taxa associated with PsA, revealing potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapeutic targets. However, the precise mechanisms through which microbiome alterations influence PsA pathophysiology remain incompletely understood. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to further understand the causal relationships between microbiome changes and PsA onset and progression. Integrating varying approaches, including metagenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, will provide a comprehensive understanding of microbial functions and host-microbiome interactions. Additionally, investigating the effects of microbiome-modulating interventions, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary modifications, could guide innovative therapeutic strategies. This multidisciplinary approach, combining dermatological and rheumatological insights, holds promise for unraveling the complexities of PsA and improving patient outcomes through personalized medicine. By advancing our knowledge of

Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Cross-sectional Clinical and Radiologic Studies.

This study aimed to investigate spinal involvement in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients using clinical and radiographic methods. A cross-sectional clinical study was conducted on 50 PsA patients diagnosed according to the CASPAR criteria. Clinical examinations and functional assessments were performed. A radiographic assessment of the spine was performed. Out of 50 PsA patients (mean age of 45.50 ± 9.90 years), (males and females constituted 27 (54.0%) and 23 (46.0%) respectively), 76% had radiological axial involvement; (26%) with inflammatory axial pain and (50%) without inflammatory axial pain (subclinical). Three axial radiographic patterns were detected including spondylitis without sacroiliitis (15.78%), spondylitis with sacroiliitis (78.94%), and sacroiliitis without spondylitis (5.26%). In axial PsA patients, males were more affected than females (χ2=11.679, p = 0.003), with older age (H = 15.817, p < 0.001) and higher body mass index (BMI) (F = 5.145, p = 0.010), increased psoriasis duration (H = 9.826, p = 0.007) and severity (Η=25.171, p < 0.001), and more spinal movement limitations than PsA patients without axial involvement (F = 26.568, p < 0.001). Cervical involvement was higher than lumbar involvement. Axial radiographic severity assessed by the PsA Spondylitis Radiology Index was associated with increased disability as assessed by the Health assessment questionnaire (rs = 0.533, p = 0.001) and decreased quality of life assessed by short form-36 score (rs = -0.321, p = 0.050). This study shows that a high percentage of PsA patients had axial involvement with a high percentage of them having asymptomatic radiological findings. The cervical spine is more frequently and severely affected than the lumbar spine. Axial PsA occurs in males more than females with characteristic older age and higher BMI, increased psoriasis duration, and more limitation of spinal mobility.

Foot involvement in psoriatic arthritis: Prevalence, clinical and radiological features

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of foot involvement in psoriatic arthritis and to describe its different clinical and radiological features. Patients and MethodsWe conducted a cross sectional study including 40 patients with psoriatic arthritis over a period of 12 months. Anamnesis, clinical examination of feet, podoscopic examination, X-rays of feet and heels, and ultrasound in B mode and power Doppler mode were done for each patient. ResultsFoot involvement was found in 95% of cases. It was symptomatic in 70% and inaugural of the disease in 20% of cases. The hindfoot and the forefoot were the sites most affected (77.5% and 47.5% respectively). The involvement of the midfoot was rarer (25%). Dactylitis was found in 17.5% and deformities of forefoot were found in 22.5% of cases. Antalgic gait was noted in 17.5% and static disorders of foot at podoscopic examination were identified in 35% of cases. Feet dermatological manifestations were found in 45% of cases. Diagnosis of different rheumatological manifestations was based on clinical findings and caracteristic radiological images on X-rays. We demonstrate he sensitivity of ultrasound in the detection and the diagnosis of different foot lesions including enthesitis, synovitis and tenosynovitis, dactylitis, bone erosions and psoriatic nail dystrophy.

Facet joint involvement in the inflammatory rheumatic disease

BackgroundThe involvement of facet joints (FJ) in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disorders remains underexplored. This review aims to look at FJ disease from a rheumatologist's perspective, with the emphasis given to the clinical presentations and patterns of FJ engagement in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and crystal-related arthropathies, and discussion of challenges in studying FJ in rheumatic disease. MethodsA systematic PubMed search using the pertinent keywords was performed, relevant articles extracted, and the acquired data critically assessed, interpreted, and organized according to the authors’ experience and judgment. ResultsFJ involvement is common in patients with radiographic axSpA, occurs throughout the spine, but is more frequently seen in the thoracic segment. The existing data suggests that the FJ are primarily affected by the disease process, while altered spine biomechanics due to the presence of syndesmophytes at the same vertebral level contributes to the FJ fusion. Predominant involvement of FJ of the cervical spinal segment has been suggested in PsA; however, prevalence and clinical significance of FJ involvement in PsA is still markedly underexplored. RA-related FJ disease of the cervical spine in patients with poorly controlled RA is not uncommon and can be related to significant morbidity, while the burden of FJ involvement in the thoracic and lumbar spinal segments in RA is also underexplored. FJ disease is possible in the course of crystal-related arthropathies, but the high level of suspicion is a prerequisite for the timely diagnosis. ConclusionsThe involvement of FJ in the course of inflammatory rheumatic disease is not uncommon. Prospective studies are needed to understand the epidemiology and significance of FJ disease in inflammatory rheumatic conditions.

Project Highlights From the GRAPPA 2022 Annual Meeting: Education Initiatives and Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis.

A core mission of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) is to provide education about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis globally. This is a multifaceted endeavor involving in-person and virtual lectures, discussions, podcasts, and archived videos directed toward clinicians and researchers who are involved with psoriatic disease (PsD) care. In partnership with patient service leagues, we also aim to provide education to patients with PsD. At the 2022 annual meeting, an update of the ongoing and expected educational initiatives was presented. A project with a high educational and research value is the Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis (AXIS) cohort established in collaboration with the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS). Here we summarize the status of the project.

Characterisation of patients with axial psoriatic arthritis and patients with axial spondyloarthritis and concomitant psoriasis in the SCQM registry

BackgroundWithin the spectrum of spondyloarthritides, axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) present with overlapping features. Axial involvement in PsA (axial PsA) is treated according to recommendations for axSpA, as...

Temporomandibular joint involvement in psoriatic arthritis: a prospective clinical and ultrasonographic study.

To evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a monocentric cohort of patients affected by psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and to investigate the accuracy of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ultrasound (US) compared with clinical evaluation and clinimetric composite index in assessing TMJ involvement. We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with PsA who underwent at least one TMJ US examination and maxillofacial surgeon's evaluation between 2018 and 2021. The rheumatology physician's interpretation of each TMJ US exam (presence/absence of TMD) was compared with psoriatic arthritis disease activity indexes and maxillofacial surgeon's clinical judgement (presence/absence of TMD signs and/or symptoms). 142 psoriatic arthritis patients were included. 111 patients were totally asymptomatic for TMD, but 58.5% of them already showed TMJ US changes; moreover, 103 patients passed the maxillofacial surgeon's examination in the absence of any relevant findings but again, of these, 55.3% already presented US signs of TMD. Univariate analysis of subgroups with and without TMJ synovitis and with and without active power Doppler signal showed a significant prevalence of peripheral enthesitic involvement in patients affected by TMD (95.7% vs. 4.3%, p=0.001; and 72.2% vs. 27.3%, p=0.007, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis confirmed the results (p=0.01 and p=0.013, respectively). Peripheral enthesitic involvement may represent a potential risk factor for the development of TMJ synovitis in PsA patients. Since TMD often develops asymptomatically, TMJ US may detect early signs of TMD, ensuring precocious and adequate management.

Axial involvement in psoriatic arthritis

Among the variety of clinical manifestations of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) – including peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis, and axial disease – spondylitis is the least studied. There is no generally accepted definition of axial PsA (axPsA), nor is there any common terminology or diagnostic criteria for it. In the rheumatology community, there is also no consensus regarding radiological and MRI assessment of axial involvement in PsA patients, while disease activity indexes and the therapeutic tactics are borrowed from those used in treating axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, despite a range of similarities in immunopathogenetic mechanisms of axPsA and axSpA, there are also certain differences that may affect the treatment response in these patients. The aim of this review is the analysis of data on axial disease in PsA. The article discusses the genetic features, clinical presentations, imaging techniques, differential diagnostics and treatment options of axPsA.

Clinical and instrumental characteristics of axial involvement in psoriatic arthritis in real-life clinical practice

Objective: to evaluate clinical and instrumental characteristics of axial lesion in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in real-life clinical practice.Subjects and methods. Examination were made in 52 patients (32 men and 20 women) with back pain recorded either at the time of their admission or in their medical histories. The inflammatory back pain (IBP) was diagnosed according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria. Back pain lasting over three months without meeting the ASAS criteria was taken to be chronic back (chrBP). Hands, feet, pelvis, cervical spine (CSP) and lumbar spine (LSP) were X-rayed. Erosions, osteolysis, and periarticular osteo-proliferative lesions were evaluated applying PsA-modified Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS). Sacroiliitis (SI) was considered radiologically significant (r-sSI) when it was bilateral grade II or higher, or unilateral grade III or higher by Kellgren. 15 patients without r-sSI had their sacroiliac joints (SIJs) scanned using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Syndesmophytes, paravertebral ossifications, constriction and ankylosis of the CSP zygapophysial joints were considered to be radiological signs of psoriatic spondylitis. HLA-B27 typing was performed in 45 patients.Results and discussion. IBP was identified in 34 (66.7%), chrBP in 17 (33.3%) patients; 15 patients (28.8%) were of advanced age (over 40) at the onset of IBP/chrBP; 30 cases (57.7%) had r-sSI; in 18 cases SI was not detected. 13 out of 30 r-sSI patients (43.3%) didn’t suffer IBP. Erosions were detected in 38 (76%) patients, osteolysis in 13 (26%) and osteo-proliferative lesions in 18 (36%) patients. Average SHS was 82.79±64.77 correlating with the presence of r-sSI (r=0,46; p&lt;0,05). Correlation of r=0.35 was found between r-sSI and the spine limited mobility according to Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI); r-sSI was detected with much higher statistical significance in the presence of periarticular osteo-proliferative lesions than in the absence of such (р=0.02). In PsA patients having periarticular osteolysis, axial lesion in the form of asymmetric syndesmophytes was detected ten times more frequently than in those not having it (OR=10; 95% CI: 1.63–61.327). In CSP, syndesmophytes developed two times more frequently than in LSP (p=0.01). Discrete CSP lesions in the absence of any LSP changes was observed in 30% of cases. SI was MRI detected in 2 (13.3%) patients. In 9 (18.0%) patients axial lesions were observed without SI. 15 patients (33.3%) were HLA-B27 positive. A set of specific PsA axial skeletal involvement features were revealed: possibility of oligosymptomatic clinical presentation; patient’s advanced age at the back pain onset; association with severe destructive peripheral arthritis; and more pronounced CSP lesions as compared to LSP. An alternative phenotype patient group (18%) without X-ray or MRI SI but with spine involvement was identified. Key words: psoriatic arthritis; axial lesion&gt;˂ 0,05). Correlation of r=0.35 was found between r-sSI and the spine limited mobility according to Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI); r-sSI was detected with much higher statistical significance in the presence of periarticular osteo-proliferative lesions than in the absence of such (р=0.02). In PsA patients having periarticular osteolysis, axial lesion in the form of asymmetric syndesmophytes was detected ten times more frequently than in those not having it (OR=10; 95% CI: 1.63–61.327). In CSP, syndesmophytes developed two times more frequently than in LSP (p=0.01). Discrete CSP lesions in the absence of any LSP changes was observed in 30% of cases. SI was MRI detected in 2 (13.3%) patients. In 9 (18.0%) patients axial lesions were observed without SI. 15 patients (33.3%) were HLA-B27 positive. A set of specific PsA axial skeletal involvement features were revealed: possibility of oligosymptomatic clinical presentation; patient’s advanced age at the back pain onset; association with severe destructive peripheral arthritis; and more pronounced CSP lesions as compared to LSP. An alternative phenotype patient group (18%) without X-ray or MRI SI but with spine involvement was identified.

Influence of age of onset of psoriasis on prevalence and clinical characteristics of psoriatic arthritis (according to the registry of patients with psoriasis)

Сlinical, immunological and genetic differences between patients with early and late onset psoriasis are reported. Comparative studies of clinical characteristics of psoriatic arthritis according to age of psoriasis onset (skin manifestation) are lacking.Aim – to compare the prevalence and clinical characteristics of psoriatic arthritis depending on age of psoriasis onset (skin manifestation) in patients included to the psoriasis patient registry of Russian Society of Dermatovenereologists and Cosmetologists.Materials and methods. Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in 3,227 patients with psoriasis aged 18 years and older was calculated. Comparison of the clinical characteristics of psoriatic arthritis according to the age of onset of psoriasis was performed on 916 patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.The U-test was used to compare quantitative variables. To identify the association between qualitative variables, the χ2 test was used; odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated, unadjusted and adjusted for other independent variables.Results. In the majority of patients (73%), psoriasis manifested before the age of 40. Psoriatic arthritis at the time of inclusion to the registry was diagnosed in 31.7% of patients with early onset psoriasis and in 19.5% of patients with late onset psoriasis (p=0.0005).The odds of having psoriatic arthritis were almost two times lower in patients with late onset psoriasis (p=0.0005). When adjusted for sex and age, the odds of having psoriatic arthritis among patients with late onset psoriasis became 4 times lower than in patients with early onset psoriasis (p=0.0005). However, when adjusted for sex and duration of psoriasis, the odds ratio lost its statistical significance.The axial involvement (32.1% vs 20.5%; p=0.003) and the involvement of foot joints (59.7% vs 51.5%; p=0.048) was more likely in patients with early onset psoriasis. The odds ratio for axial involvement was still statistically significant when adjusted for other independent variables.Conclusions. Age of onset of psoriasis before 40 years of age is associated with more frequent axial involvement in psoriatic arthritis.

AB0956 To what extend is nail ultrasound discriminative between psoriatic arthritis and healthy subjects?

BackgroundClinical physical examination can detect superficial nail changes in psoriatic patients. However, the nail matrix and bed are not accessible for clinical assessment. Recently, ultrasonography (US) has emerged as a useful tool to assess nail involvement in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.ObjectivesTo assess the discriminative utility of nail features detected by B-mode (BM) and color Doppler (CD) ultrasound (US) between patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and healthy controls (HC).MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study including PsA patients and HC.All patients and controls underwent an US assessment of the fingernails that included the study of morphological changes based on Wortsman’s description [1]: focal hyperechoic involvement of the ventral plate without involvement of the dorsal plate (type I), loosening of the borders of the ventral plate (type II), appearance of wavy plates (type III) and loss of definition on both plates (type IV), blood flow disturbances and measurement of the thickness of nail bed (NBT), nail plate (TNP) and adjacent skin.ResultsA total of 536 nails were examined (PsA:326 nails, HC:210). Patients with PsA had significantly more morphological changes of the nails than healthy controls (23% vs 3.33%, p = 0.006).In PsA patients, the most frequently observed aspect was type III (47 nails, 14.4%), followed by type II (40 nails,12.3%) and type IV (38 nails, 11.6%). In HC, the only observed type was type (type II). US detected subclinical nail involvement in 37 healthy nails among PsA patients (11.34%). On the other hand, seven nails with clinical involvement did not demonstrate US changes: perionyxis (n=1), pitting (n=2), onycholyses (n=3), hemorrhage (n=1).The power Doppler signal of the nail bed and matrix was comparable between the groups (54% vs 61%, p= 0.603 and 41% vs 37.1%, p=0.432, respectively).NBT and skin thickness were higher in the HC group than the PsA group (1.90±0.22 mm vs 2.07±0.34 mm, p=0.047 and 2.25±0.69 vs 2.59±0.31 mm, p=0.002, respectively). While NPT was similar between the groups (0.38±0.09 vs 0.36±0.07mm, p=0.239).ConclusionUs detected morphological changes in clinically healthy fingernails in both PsA patients and healthy controls. However subclinical involvement was more common in PsA patients.Loosening of the borders of the ventral plate (type II) was the only aspect observed in HC. This would suggest that this type is not a specific feature of psoriatic nail.With regards to nail plate thickness, the measurements were similar between PsA patients and HC as previously reported by Mondal et al [2].However, unlike previous studies, we showed that the nail bed and skin thickness were significantly higher in healthy controls than PsA patients [3].

Proceedings of the 2021 GRAPPA-Collaborative Research Network (CRN) Meeting.

At the 2021 Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA)-Collaborative Research Network (CRN) annual meeting, the GRAPPA-CRN group presented a number of project updates, including a pilot investigator-initiated study to evaluate liquid and tissue biomarkers associated with axial involvement in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The GRAPPA-CRN session updated progress made with 3 parallel international research initiatives based on 3 previously defined unmet needs in PsA. The Health Initiatives in Psoriasis and PsOriatic arthritis ConsoRTium European States (HIPPOCRATES) is a European research consortium formed to address unmet clinical needs in PsA. The Preventing Arthritis in a multicenter Psoriasis At-Risk Population (PAMPA) is a US-based organization that has defined consensus terminology for preclinical phases of PsA and is interested in the transition process from psoriasis to PsA. An overview of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases (AMP AIM) program 2.0, a consortium including GRAPPA-CRN members that addressed these 3 unmet needs in PsA, was also presented.

Radiographic Ischial Enthesopathy in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

AbstractBackground To investigate the prevalence of radiographic ischial entheseal lesions in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Patients and Methods Thirty-eight patients with PsA and 46 patients with RA were included. Anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis and lateral foot were evaluated for entheseal lesions. The following entheseal sites were reviewed: os ischium, bilateral Achilles tendon and inferior calcaneus. Abnormalities such as cortical erosions and enthesophytes (irregular bony proliferation) were recorded.Results The frequency of enthesopathic changes in the ischial region was found to be statistically significantly higher in PsA patients compared with RA patients (50 and 28.3%, respectively, p=0.04). Enthesopathic changes of the calcaneus and Achilles tendon also occurred more frequently in PsA patients than in RA patients.Conclusion Radiographic entheseal lesions in the ischial region are more prevalent in PsA patients compared with RA patients with symptoms in that region. Furthermore, such enthesopathic changes in the ischium are observed as frequently as changes in the Achilles tendon. These findings regarding structural entheseal lesions in the pelvic region contribute to the knowledge of entheseal involvement in PsA.

Psoriatic Spondylitis: A Disease Manifestation in Debate: Evidences to Know for the Clinical Rheumatologist.

With the advent of classification criteria for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), patients with axial manifestations associated with psoriasis, initially described in the l950s as a specific entity termed psoriatic spondylitis (PS), are now categorized within PsA, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and axSpA. Thus, different terms are used to describe axial disease in patients with PsA including PS, axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA), and psoriatic spondyloarthritis. Patients with PS may present with inflammatory and/or mechanical back pain, but also may display axial disease on imaging despite not complaining of back pain. Cervical spondylitis has been reported in 35% to 75% of patients with PsA. Axial disease is silent in 20% and 25% of patients with axial PsA and PsA, respectively. The majority of axPsA patients have peripheral arthritis alongside the axial involvement, whereas only 2% to 5% of PsA patients have solely axial arthritis with no peripheral arthritis.A debate is currently underway as to whether inflammatory axial disease and psoriasis represent axSpA with psoriasis or a subset of PsA named axPsA. Studies have recognized that axial disease in PsA patients seems to be different demographically, genetically, clinically, and radiographically when compared with AS with or without psoriasis. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge regarding axial involvement of PsA in terms of history, terminology, classification, epidemiology, clinical presentation, imaging, diagnosis, and treatment, with the aim of providing advice for management of PS in clinical evidence-based practice. Data-driven studies are needed to develop clear, nonoverlapping classification criteria for spinal involvement in PsA.