Manifestations Of Psoriatic Arthritis Research Articles

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Topical issues

The topical issues of the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis (Ps) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are discussed. The characteristics and treatments of Ps and the methods for the diagnosis of PsA in Ps are presented; the extraarticular manifestations of PsA, its radiological signs, criteria for a treatment response, the current principles of therapy, and prognosis in these patients are described.

Biomarkers and prognostic stratification in psoriatic arthritis

In rheumatic diseases, biomarkers may serve as surrogate endpoints for diagnosis, prognosis, disease activity, therapeutic response and disease outcome. In recent years a great effort has been made to identify useful tools to establish early diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic response especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In psoriatic arthritis (PsA) serological biomarkers have been frequently borrowed from RA, but this approach have sometimes lead to inappropriate choices of biomarkers and incorrect conclusions. Furthermore, the heterogeneous spectrum of articular manifestation of PsA and the variable course of the disease can make diagnosis and prognosis difficult. Recently, the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) identified two key areas for biomarkers development in psoriasis and PsA: the diagnosis of the articular disease in patients with psoriasis and the evaluation of joint damage in PsA. In this review we revised the currently available and the new potential markers for PsA, such as serum, genetic, cellular and histological biomarkers, clinical and imaging data, with particular attention on the prognostic aspect in order to identify progressive disease suitable for a more aggressive treatment.

Classification and clinical assessment

There are at least nine classification criteria for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) that have been proposed and used in clinical studies. With the exception of the ESSG and Bennett rules, all of the other criteria sets have a good performance in identifying PsA patients. As the CASPAR criteria are based on a robust study methodology, they are considered the current reference standard. However, if there seems to be no doubt that they are very good to classify PsA patients (very high specificity), they might be not sensitive enough to diagnose patients with unknown early PsA. The vast clinical heterogeneity of PsA makes its assessment very challenging. Peripheral joint involvement is measured by 78/76 joint counts, spine involvement by the instruments used for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), dactylitis by involved digit count or by the Leeds dactylitis index, enthesitis by the number of affected entheses (several indices available) and psoriasis by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Peripheral joint damage can be assessed by a modified van der Heijde-Sharp scoring system and axial damage by the methods used for AS or by the Psoriatic Arthritis Spondylitis Radiology Index (PASRI). As in other arthritides, global evaluation of disease activity and severity by patient and physician and assessment of disability and quality of life are widely used. Finally, composite indices that capture several clinical manifestations of PsA have been proposed and a new instrument, the Psoriatic ARthritis Disease Activity Score (PASDAS), is currently being developed.

Differential Diagnosis of Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis at an Early Stage in the Small Hand and Foot Joints using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The 2 major and clinically most important primary inflammatory rheumatic diseases which affect small hand and feet joints are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The most important initial histopathological feature of RA is synovitis followed by chronic proliferative granulomatous pannus-tissue, which is associated with cartilage and bone destruction. Early inflammatory changes in RA also develop synchronously within the subchondral bone marrow. Enthesitis is the hallmark of SNSA, and is often seen as one of the first radiological manifestations of the diseases. As a rule inflammation within the synovial joints, histologically similar to RA, is not so pronounced. Consequently destructive changes within the synovial joints are much less with the exception of PsA in which pronounced bone destruction may develop (arthritis mutilans). Considerable overlapping in clinical and morphological manifestation of RA and PsA may be present. For evaluation of hand and feet joints and surrounding soft tissue structures in RA and PsA different imaging modalities are used, which include projection radiography, ultrasonography (US), radionuclide techniques and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI has become the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of arthritis, when conventional radiography is not conclusive.

Differential Diagnosis of Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis at an Early Stage in the Small Hand and Foot Joints using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The 2 major and clinically most important primary inflammatory rheumatic diseases which affect small hand and feet joints are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The most important initial histopathological feature of RA is synovitis followed by chronic proliferative granulomatous pannus-tissue, which is associated with cartilage and bone destruction. Early inflammatory changes in RA also develop synchronously within the subchondral bone marrow. Enthesitis is the hallmark of SNSA, and is often seen as one of the first radiological manifestations of the diseases. As a rule inflammation within the synovial joints, histologically similar to RA, is not so pronounced. Consequently destructive changes within the synovial joints are much less with the exception of PsA in which pronounced bone destruction may develop (arthritis mutilans). Considerable overlapping in clinical and morphological manifestation of RA and PsA may be present. For evaluation of hand and feet joints and surrounding soft tissue structures in RA and PsA different imaging modalities are used, which include projection radiography, ultrasonography (US), radionuclide techniques and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI has become the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of arthritis, when conventional radiography is not conclusive.

Development of Composite Measures for Psoriatic Arthritis: A Report from the GRAPPA 2010 Annual Meeting

Composite disease outcome measures have been used in rheumatology for some time, but a disease-specific composite measure for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has not yet been validated. Currently, instruments developed for use in rheumatoid arthritis are employed in PsA and include the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20, 50, and 70) and the Disease Activity Score for 28 and 44 joints (DAS28 and DAS44); however, these instruments do not cover the full spectrum of psoriatic disease. A composite measure is one way of incorporating an assessment of all relevant clinical outcomes into one single measure. By definition, it incorporates several dimensions of disease status, often by combining these different domains into a single score, which in the case of PsA includes joints, skin, entheses, dactylitis, and axial disease. New indices that combine these diverse clinical manifestations of PsA are under development and, in some cases, in the validation phase. The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) established the GRAPPA Composite Exercise (GRACE) project to compare existing and emerging composite measures and to develop a new index. At the GRAPPA 2010 meeting, initial results from this project were presented, and existing and new candidate measures were compared.

Differential major histocompatibility complex class I chain‐related A allele associations with skin and joint manifestations of psoriatic disease

About 30% of patients with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis (PsA), an inflammatory arthritis that can affect both axial and peripheral joints. Major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related A (MICA) alleles have previously been shown to be associated with PsA; however it is unclear whether there is a differential association of MICA alleles with skin and joint manifestations of PsA. Here, we describe a case-control study that aims to validate previously reported MICA allele associations with PsA and determine whether MICA alleles differentiate patients with PsA from those with psoriasis without PsA. Two hundred forty-nine unrelated Caucasian PsA patients, 243 psoriasis patients without arthritis, and 248 healthy controls were genotyped for 55 MICA alleles using PCR-SSP, and for human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B and HLA-C alleles by PCR-SSO reverse line blot. Allele frequencies were calculated and logistic regressions were performed, adjusting for HLA-B and HLA-C alleles previously shown to be associated with psoriasis and/or PsA. Several MICA alleles were associated with psoriatic disease, PsA, and psoriasis compared with controls, and PsA compared with psoriasis in univariate analyses. Haplotype analysis showed evidence of strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) between PsA and psoriasis risk alleles of HLA-C, HLA-B, and MICA. After adjusting for significant HLA-B and HLA-C alleles in multivariate analyses, MICA*016 remained significantly associated with psoriasis [odds ratio (OR) = 5.5, P = 0.008]. MICA*00801 homozygosity was associated with susceptibility to PsA when compared with patients with psoriasis alone (OR = 2.26, P = 0.009). We conclude that most MICA allele associations with psoriasis and PsA are dependent on LD with HLA-B and HLA-C risk alleles. Independent of HLA, only MICA*016 influences the risk of developing psoriasis without arthritis, and homozygosity for MICA*00801 increases the risk of developing PsA in patients with psoriasis.

Composite Measures in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Report from the GRAPPA 2009 Annual Meeting

A composite measure is one way of incorporating an assessment of all relevant clinical outcomes into one single measure. By definition it incorporates several dimensions of disease status often by combining these different domains into a single score. Such instruments are well established in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and these RA-specific measures have successfully been adopted for use in clinical trials involving patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, the need for a more PsA-specific composite measure has led to a number of proposals, which, for the large part, incorporate only peripheral articular disease activity. New indices that combine the diverse clinical manifestations of PsA are now under development. These issues were discussed at the 2009 annual meeting of GRAPPA (Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis) in Stockholm, Sweden, and are summarized here.

Artritis psoriásica: lo que el dermatólogo debe saber (Parte 1)

Psoriatic arthritis is defined as inflammatory arthritis occurring in patients with psoriasis and is classified as a seronegative spondyloarthropathy associated with human leukocyte antigen B27. Between 25 and 35% of patients with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis during the course of their disease. Given that the skin is affected before the joints in most cases, the dermatologist must be able to recognize the signs and symptoms in order to make a diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment. This review aims to cover key aspects of the initial diagnostic workup and clinical evaluation. It examines the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and manifestations of psoriatic arthritis, as well as the complementary tests and diagnostic tools the dermatologist should be aware of in order to make the correct diagnosis.

Responses to Adalimumab in Patients with Active Psoriatic Arthritis Who Have Not Adequately Responded to Prior Therapy: Effectiveness and Safety Results From an Open-label Study

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and an inadequate response to prior therapy. Patients were treated with subcutaneous injections of adalimumab 40 mg every other week in addition to their standard antirheumatic therapies in a 12-week, open-label study. Effectiveness evaluations at Week 12 included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) response rates, Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC), active dactylitis, enthesitis, and target lesion assessment. Physical function was evaluated using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). A total of 127 patients were enrolled. At Week 12, patients achieved ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 response rates of 78.0%, 55.9%, and 21.3%, respectively. PASI50 and PASI75 response rates were 64.7% and 47.1%. A PsARC response was experienced by 70.1% of patients. Between baseline and Week 12, clinically and statistically significant reductions occurred in the mean total plaque score of the target lesion as well as in the percentages of patients with active dactylitis and enthesitis. A mean improvement in HAQ-DI was also observed (-0.44; p < 0.001). Three serious adverse events were reported, but none was considered related to adalimumab therapy. Adalimumab-treated patients achieved significant improvements in both skin and joint manifestations of PsA, as well as in physical function. Adalimumab was well tolerated and had a safety profile similar to that observed in other clinical trials of adalimumab for the treatment of PsA. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00427362.

A 3 mg/kg starting dose of infliximab in active spondyloarthritis resistant to conventional treatments is efficient, safe and lowers costs

Objective We assessed the efficacy, tolerance and cost of a 3 mg/kg starting dose of infliximab for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods We retrospectively followed-up 45 biologic-naive consecutive patients (11 with axial AS, 24 with axial and peripheral [mixed] AS and 10 with PsA) who were treated between 2002 and 2005 with a 3 mg/kg dose of infliximab after failure of conventional therapies. The following variables were recorded: visual analog scale (VAS) scores of patient's global (G) and pain (P) assessment, duration of early morning stiffness (EMS), disease activity (BASDAI) and functional disability (BASFI). Treatment responses were assessed at 6 and 12 months using the AS assessment score (ASAS)-20% and -40% criteria and BASDAI-50. Results Baseline characteristics of the 29 men and 16 women were (median [range]): G-VAS, 70 [13–100]; P-VAS, 70 [13–100]; EMS, 60 [0–180] minutes; BASDAI, 64.4 [23.9–100]; BASFI, 57.2 [3.5–98.5]. All manifestations regressed significantly ( p < 0.0001) for 39 (86.7%) and 24 (53.5%) patients at 6 and 12 months, respectively; 26 (57.8%) had achieved ASAS-20 responses at 6 months that persisted at 1 year for 20 (44.4%); 19 (42.2%) and 12 (26.7%) satisfied BASDAI 50 criteria at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Interestingly, almost 30% still received low-dose infliximab after 4 years of follow-up. Conclusion An initial dose of 3 mg/kg of infliximab significantly attenuated AS and PsA manifestations in > 40% of the patients, making use of this dose highly advantageous in terms of safety and 33% lower cost.

Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis with Biological Agents

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis that occurs in individuals with psoriasis. The primary goals in the treatment of PsA are reduction of pain; improvement in the other signs and symptoms of disease, including skin and nail involvement; optimization of functional capacity and quality of life; and inhibition of the progression of joint damage. These goals should be achieved while minimizing potential toxicities from treatment. The management of PsA should simultaneously target arthritis, skin disease, and other manifestations of PsA, including involvement of the axial skeleton, dactylitis, enthesitis, and eye inflammation. In this respect targeted biological agents, primarily tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, have emerged as generally well tolerated and highly effective alternatives to traditional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Herein we review the evidence regarding the treatment of PsA arthritis with biological agents.

Adalimumab improves skin and nail manifestations of psoriatic arthritis in routine clinical care

Adalimumab improves skin and nail manifestations of psoriatic arthritis in routine clinical care

The diagnosis and treatment of early psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder associated with a heterogeneous disease presentation, varied disease expression and an unpredictable but often chronically destructive clinical course. Joint damage can occur early in the disease; indeed, several imaging modalities have demonstrated subclinical joint involvement in psoriasis patients without musculoskeletal signs or symptoms. Efforts are underway to validate questionnaires that will enable dermatologists to screen patients with psoriasis for the presence of musculoskeletal disease. To date, the use of therapies in patients with early PsA has not been reported in randomized controlled trials. Moreover, conventional agents are partially effective in established PsA but, in general, trials with DMARDS have not included validated outcome measures for the different manifestations of PsA. Tumor necrosis factor antagonists can alleviate the signs and symptoms of established psoriatic arthritis and inhibit radiographic progression, but the therapeutic impact of early intervention with these agents requires further study. The extent of disease and the presence of comorbidities should be used to guide treatment decisions and to minimize adverse events.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor-α blockade on metabolic syndrome components in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and additional lessons learned from rheumatoid arthritis

Psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases that manifest not only in the skin and joints but also in the form of cardiometabolic disturbances, which include insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Thus, PsO and PsA patients are predisposed to metabolic syndrome (MetS), diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In recent years, the introduction of targeted therapy in the form of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists, such as infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab has been an important and effective addition to the treatment armamentarium for PsO and PsA. Although TNF-alpha antagonists have produced promising results clinically in reducing cutaneous and joint manifestations of PsO and PsA, their effects on MetS components in these patients are presently unclear. This review summarizes the current limited evidence on the effects of TNF-alpha antagonists on MetS components in PsO and PsA patients and extrapolates from related literature in rheumatoid arthritis, which is also a T cell-mediated inflammatory disease, for additional information.

Anti-TNF-α agents in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a potentially debilitating disease that may affect small and large peripheral joints, entheses and the axial skeleton. The different clinical manifestations of PsA have been accounted for by various proposals of subdividing the patients into different subgroups. According to the predominant clinical symptoms, most patients can be classified as belonging to the spectrum of spondyloarthritides (SpA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The conventional therapeutic approach comprises non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic and intra-articular corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs such as sulfasalazine, methotrexate, ciclosporin and leflunomide. Similar to RA, recent trials in PsA have shown excellent results with the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockers etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab, which have positive effects not only on joints, but also on the skin when affected by psoriasis, quality of life, function and slowing of disease progress, as evidenced radiologically. Anti-TNF therapy has been generally safe in clinical trials of PsA. Taken together, there has been definite recent progress in the treatment of PsA, especially for severely affected patients.

Sustained Benefits of Infliximab Therapy for Dermatologic and Articular Manifestations of Psoriatic Arthritis: Results From the Infliximab Multinational Psoriatic Arthritis Controlled Trial (IMPACT)

Sustained Benefits of Infliximab Therapy for Dermatologic and Articular Manifestations of Psoriatic Arthritis: Results From the Infliximab Multinational Psoriatic Arthritis Controlled Trial (IMPACT)

Sustained benefits of infliximab therapy for dermatologic and articular manifestations of psoriatic arthritis: Results from the infliximab multinational psoriatic arthritis controlled trial (IMPACT)

To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of infliximab therapy for the articular and dermatologic manifestations of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). One hundred four patients with PsA in whom prior therapy with at least 1 disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) had failed were recruited into this investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. During the initial blinded portion of the study, patients received infusions of infliximab (5 mg/kg) or placebo at weeks 0, 2, 6, and 14. After week 16, patients initially assigned to receive placebo crossed over to receive infliximab 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks through week 50, while patients initially randomized to infliximab continued to receive active treatment at the same dose through week 50. The primary efficacy outcome was achievement of the American College of Rheumatology 20% criteria for improvement in rheumatoid arthritis (ACR20) at week 16. Additional predefined clinical efficacy assessments included the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, the ACR50 and ACR70 criteria, the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, the Health Assessment Questionnaire, ratings of enthesitis and dactylitis, and the Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria score. The proportion of infliximab-treated patients who achieved an ACR20 response at week 16 (65%) was significantly higher than the proportion of placebo-treated patients who achieved this response (10%). In addition, 46% of infliximab-treated patients achieved an ACR50 response, and 29% achieved an ACR70 response; no placebo-treated patient achieved these end points. Among patients who had PASI scores of >/=2.5 at baseline, 68% of infliximab-treated patients achieved improvement of >/=75% in the PASI score at week 16 compared with none of the placebo-treated patients. Continued therapy with infliximab resulted in sustained improvement in articular and dermatologic manifestations of PsA through week 50. The incidence of adverse events was similar between the treatment groups. Therapy with infliximab at a dose of 5 mg/kg significantly improved the signs and symptoms of arthritis, psoriasis, dactylitis, and enthesitis in patients with active PsA that had been resistant to DMARD therapy. With continued infliximab treatment, benefits were sustained through 50 weeks. The benefit-to-risk ratio appeared favorable in this study population.

Innovation in general practice

<h3>Background</h3> Deucravacitinib (DEUC) is a novel, oral, selective TYK2 inhibitor with a unique allosteric mechanism of action that has demonstrated efficacy in patients with psoriasis (PsO)¹ and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).² TYK2 mediates signalling of select immune cytokines, eg, interleukin (IL) 23, IL-12, and Type I interferons, whereas the related Janus kinases (JAK) 1/2/3 mediate signalling of a wider array of cytokines and mediators involved in inflammatory, developmental, metabolic, and hematopoietic pathways. DEUC reduced inflammatory markers associated with skin and joint manifestations but did not result in laboratory abnormalities associated with inhibition of JAK1/2/3 in a PsA trial.³ <h3>Objectives</h3> To identify baseline biomarkers that predict response to DEUC in patients with PsA. <h3>Methods</h3> The double-blind Phase 2 trial (NCT03881059) enrolled 203 patients with PsA randomised 1:1:1 to placebo (PBO), DEUC 6 mg once daily (QD), or 12 mg QD.² Molecular profiling of baseline serum samples was performed by immunoassays. Clinical response at Week 16 was measured by ≥20% improvement from baseline in American College of Rheumatology Improvement Criteria (ACR 20) and ≥75% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) scores. <h3>Results</h3> Biomarkers of the IL-23/T helper cell type 17 pathway, including IL-17A, IL-17‒induced β-defensin 2 (BD2), and IL-19, were associated with higher PASI but not Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Scores overall at baseline. PASI 75 responders in DEUC-treated groups had higher baseline levels of IL-17A compared with nonresponders. In contrast, PASI 75 responders in PBO-treated patients had lower baseline expression of IL-17A, BD2, and IL-19 compared with nonresponders. In patients treated with DEUC 12 mg QD, greater reductions in BD2 were observed in the PASI 75 responder group compared with nonresponder group. When patients were dichotomised by median baseline biomarker level, higher clinical responses in both PASI 75 and ACR 20 were achieved in those with higher baseline overall biomarker levels in the DEUC-treated groups compared with the PBO group. Higher baseline expression of IL-23 biomarkers IL-17A, IL-19, and BD2 enriched ACR 20 response in patients treated with DEUC compared with PBO (OR=5.64, 6.68, and 4.99, respectively). While greater benefit was observed in high-biomarker groups, the low-biomarker populations still manifested clinical responses although not significant (Figure 1). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Patients who had higher expression of IL-23 pathway biomarkers were more likely to benefit from DEUC compared with placebo in skin and joint manifestations of PsA. These results reinforce the value of TYK2 inhibition in patients with IL-23‒mediated diseases. The potential value of IL-23-pathway markers in predicting higher responses to DEUC should be further explored in larger trials. <h3>References</h3> [1]Armstrong A et al. Presented at American Academy of Dermatology Virtual Meeting Experience 2021; April 23-25, 2021. [2]Mease PJ et al. Efficacy and Safety of Selective TYK2 Inhibitor, Deucravacitinib, in a Phase 2 Trial in Psoriatic Arthritis. <i>Ann Rheum Dis</i>. (In Press). [3]FitzGerald O et al. Presented at the 2021 ACR Convergence, American College of Rheumatology; Nov 3-9, 2021. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> This study was sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb. Professional medical writing assistance was provided by Julianne Hatfield, PhD at Peloton Advantage, LLC, an OPEN Health company, Parsippany, NJ, USA, and funded by Bristol Myers Squibb. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Oliver FitzGerald Consultant of: Consulting and/or speaker fees: Biogen, and Novartis., Grant/research support from: Research grants: BMS, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Lilly., Dafna D Gladman Consultant of: Consulting fees: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Galapagos, Gilead, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB., Grant/research support from: Research grants: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Philip J Mease Consultant of: Consulting and/or speaker fees: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, SUN Pharma, and UCB., Grant/research support from: Research grants: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, SUN Pharma, and UCB, Christopher T. Ritchlin Consultant of: Consultant: AbbVie, Amgen, Janssen, Lily, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sun, UCB;, Grant/research support from: Grants / Research Support: AbbVie, Amgen, UCB, Josef S. Smolen Consultant of: Consulting and/or speaker fees: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos-Gilead, Janssen, Merck-Sharp-Dohme, Novartis-Sandoz, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai, Samsung, and UCB., Grant/research support from: Research grants: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Lu Gao Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb., Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb., Sarah Hu Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb., Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb., Miroslawa Nowak Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb., Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb., Subhashis Banerjee Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb., Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb., Ian Catlett Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb., Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb.

Dermatological manifestations in psoriatic arthritis: a follow-up study

Of 227 patients with psoriasis and rheumatic complaints, inflammatory arthritis was present in 168 patients, of whom 95 have been followed up for more than 5 years and 28 had been followed up for more than 10 years. In patients with psoriasis and inflammatory arthritis the majority were women, but in the Distal joint group, males predominated. The skin disease usually began on the arms and was restricted in extent, initially. It usually began before the arthritis. A few cases were apparently precipitated by trauma, but more by psychological factors. The course pursued by the skin lesions was generally favourable. The skin lesions were resistant to treatment in 20% of the patients. Puberty, pregnancy and the menopause had little effect on the skin lesions. Nail lesions were present in 80%, a greater frequency than that seen in uncomplicated psoriasis. These nail lesions began at a later age than the skin lesions, and commonly preceded the development of arthritis. There was a family history of psoriasis in 26% of first-degree relatives. A history of polyarthritis was obtained quite frequently, and of psoriatic arthritis in 3% of patients with Distal arthritis, and 2% of the Indistinguishable group. The arthritis was usually mild in degree. Ankylosing spondylitis occurred in 5% and sacro-iliitis in 19%. The sheep cell agglutination test for rheumatoid factor was negative in the majority of patients. It was positive in 16% and a fluctuating positive result was obtained in 10%.