INITIAL results from an ongoing study led by researchers from Oxford University, UK, University College Dublin, Ireland, and The University of Manchester, UK, have observed a high burden of arthritis symptoms in patients with psoriasis. This study, which monitors patients with psoriasis over 3 years using online questionnaires and finger-prick blood samples, aims to better understand who develops Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).
The baseline data has been collected from 2,841 patients, with 1,761 from Ireland and 1,067 from the UK. Among this cohort, 712 patients, or approximately 25%, reported joint symptoms indicative of PsA. These findings align with existing knowledge that up to one-third of psoriasis patients may develop PsA, characterised by painful inflammation of the joints and tendons.
The study highlights the necessity of identifying which patients with psoriasis are at risk of developing PsA, a condition that can be hard to diagnose and, for some patients can have debilitating effects on sleep and mobility.
A significant focus of the research is the importance of genetic analysis. The study aims to identify genetic changes that predict PsA risk, potentially leading to preventative treatments.
Moving forward, the research group aims to recruit a large cohort of 25,000 patients. This expansion will provide more robust data on the association between psoriasis and joint symptoms leading to PsA. The researchers hope that a larger sample size will help to further elucidate the factors that increase the risk of developing PsA, ultimately contributing to better diagnostic tools and treatment options for patients.
This study represents a critical step towards improving the understanding and management of PsA among patients with psoriasis, offering hope for earlier diagnosis and more effective interventions.
Katie Wright, EMJ
Reference
The University of Manchester. Psoriasis probe shows high level of arthritis symptoms in patients. 2024. Available at https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/psoriasis-probe-shows-high-level-of-arthritis-symptoms-in-patients. Last accessed: 8 August 2024
