Recent Findings About Psoriatic Arthritis

Nail Involvement May Be a Predictor of Concomitant Psoriatic Arthritis in Psoriasis Patients

Early detection and treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) could contribute to the prevention of disease progression. Langenbruch et al (Br J Dermatol. July 17, 2014. doi:10.1111/bjd.13272) conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 3 independent national cross-sectional studies on health care in psoriasis and PsA, including psoriasis history, clinical findings, PsA, nail involvement, health care, and patient-reported outcomes. The researchers reported that the strongest predictors for concomitant PsA were nail involvement and inpatient hospital treatment, while scalp involvement was not a significant predictor.

Practice Point: Nail disease may be the most predictive clinical indicator of PsA in psoriasis patients.

>>Read more at British Journal of Dermatology

Consider Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis

There is an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and/or morbidity in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Khraishi et al (Clin Rheumatol. July 18, 2014. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2743-7) evaluated the cardiovascular profile of 196 patients with PsA, either early PsA or established PsA. Hypercholesterolemia was most prevalent in patients, followed by obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anxiety/depression, and coronary heart disease. The results were similar for patients with early PsA and established PsA, except for anxiety/depression and obesity, which were more prevalent in patients with established PsA.

Practice Point: Cardiovascular risk should be taken into consideration even in patients with early PsA.

>>Read more at Clinical Rheumatology

Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Tools Help Dermatologists

Dermatologists may have difficulty accurately detecting psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in psoriasis patients. Mease et al (J Am Acad Dermatol. June 25, 2014. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.05.010) evaluated 3 PsA screening questionnaires based on rheumatologist assessment in patients with psoriasis. Of 949 patients with psoriasis evaluated by rheumatologists, 30% received a clinical diagnosis of PsA.

Practice Point: The questionnaires may help dermatologists identify patients without PsA and patients with possible PsA who may benefit from rheumatologist assessment.

>>Read more at Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Dermatologists Play Important Role in the Diagnosis and Management of Psoriatic Arthritis

Dermatologists play a key role in identifying psoriasis patients at risk for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and working with rheumatologists to diagnose PsA. Richard et al (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014;28[suppl 5]:3-12) provided practical recommendations on the risk factors for PsA, PsA prevalence, screening tools, and initial PsA treatment options. Relevant articles in the literature were reviewed to provide these recommendations for dermatologists to utilize.

Practice Point: Dermatologists and rheumatologists must collaborate to better identify and manage PsA patients.

>>Read more at Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

Nail Involvement May Be a Predictor of Concomitant Psoriatic Arthritis in Psoriasis Patients

Early detection and treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) could contribute to the prevention of disease progression. Langenbruch et al (Br J Dermatol. July 17, 2014. doi:10.1111/bjd.13272) conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 3 independent national cross-sectional studies on health care in psoriasis and PsA, including psoriasis history, clinical findings, PsA, nail involvement, health care, and patient-reported outcomes. The researchers reported that the strongest predictors for concomitant PsA were nail involvement and inpatient hospital treatment, while scalp involvement was not a significant predictor.

Practice Point: Nail disease may be the most predictive clinical indicator of PsA in psoriasis patients.

>>Read more at British Journal of Dermatology

Consider Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis

There is an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and/or morbidity in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Khraishi et al (Clin Rheumatol. July 18, 2014. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2743-7) evaluated the cardiovascular profile of 196 patients with PsA, either early PsA or established PsA. Hypercholesterolemia was most prevalent in patients, followed by obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anxiety/depression, and coronary heart disease. The results were similar for patients with early PsA and established PsA, except for anxiety/depression and obesity, which were more prevalent in patients with established PsA.

Practice Point: Cardiovascular risk should be taken into consideration even in patients with early PsA.

>>Read more at Clinical Rheumatology

Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Tools Help Dermatologists

Dermatologists may have difficulty accurately detecting psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in psoriasis patients. Mease et al (J Am Acad Dermatol. June 25, 2014. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.05.010) evaluated 3 PsA screening questionnaires based on rheumatologist assessment in patients with psoriasis. Of 949 patients with psoriasis evaluated by rheumatologists, 30% received a clinical diagnosis of PsA.

Practice Point: The questionnaires may help dermatologists identify patients without PsA and patients with possible PsA who may benefit from rheumatologist assessment.

>>Read more at Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Dermatologists Play Important Role in the Diagnosis and Management of Psoriatic Arthritis

Dermatologists play a key role in identifying psoriasis patients at risk for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and working with rheumatologists to diagnose PsA. Richard et al (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014;28[suppl 5]:3-12) provided practical recommendations on the risk factors for PsA, PsA prevalence, screening tools, and initial PsA treatment options. Relevant articles in the literature were reviewed to provide these recommendations for dermatologists to utilize.

Practice Point: Dermatologists and rheumatologists must collaborate to better identify and manage PsA patients.

>>Read more at Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

Nail Involvement May Be a Predictor of Concomitant Psoriatic Arthritis in Psoriasis Patients

Early detection and treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) could contribute to the prevention of disease progression. Langenbruch et al (Br J Dermatol. July 17, 2014. doi:10.1111/bjd.13272) conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 3 independent national cross-sectional studies on health care in psoriasis and PsA, including psoriasis history, clinical findings, PsA, nail involvement, health care, and patient-reported outcomes. The researchers reported that the strongest predictors for concomitant PsA were nail involvement and inpatient hospital treatment, while scalp involvement was not a significant predictor.

Practice Point: Nail disease may be the most predictive clinical indicator of PsA in psoriasis patients.

>>Read more at British Journal of Dermatology

Consider Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis

There is an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and/or morbidity in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Khraishi et al (Clin Rheumatol. July 18, 2014. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2743-7) evaluated the cardiovascular profile of 196 patients with PsA, either early PsA or established PsA. Hypercholesterolemia was most prevalent in patients, followed by obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anxiety/depression, and coronary heart disease. The results were similar for patients with early PsA and established PsA, except for anxiety/depression and obesity, which were more prevalent in patients with established PsA.

Practice Point: Cardiovascular risk should be taken into consideration even in patients with early PsA.

>>Read more at Clinical Rheumatology

Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Tools Help Dermatologists

Dermatologists may have difficulty accurately detecting psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in psoriasis patients. Mease et al (J Am Acad Dermatol. June 25, 2014. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.05.010) evaluated 3 PsA screening questionnaires based on rheumatologist assessment in patients with psoriasis. Of 949 patients with psoriasis evaluated by rheumatologists, 30% received a clinical diagnosis of PsA.

Practice Point: The questionnaires may help dermatologists identify patients without PsA and patients with possible PsA who may benefit from rheumatologist assessment.

>>Read more at Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Dermatologists Play Important Role in the Diagnosis and Management of Psoriatic Arthritis

Dermatologists play a key role in identifying psoriasis patients at risk for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and working with rheumatologists to diagnose PsA. Richard et al (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014;28[suppl 5]:3-12) provided practical recommendations on the risk factors for PsA, PsA prevalence, screening tools, and initial PsA treatment options. Relevant articles in the literature were reviewed to provide these recommendations for dermatologists to utilize.

Practice Point: Dermatologists and rheumatologists must collaborate to better identify and manage PsA patients.

>>Read more at Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology