Published findings highlight the efficacy of the ClASsification criteria for Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) in identifying PsA in JIA patients, surpassing the traditional International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria.
INSIGHTS into predicting psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, 18 years after their initial diagnosis, were shared in a recent study. The study, involving 510 JIA patients from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, tracked participants over nearly two decades. By applying both ILAR and CASPAR criteria at the 18-year mark, researchers found that 9.4% of the cohort met the CASPAR criteria for PsA. Notably, wrist or subtalar joint involvement at disease onset significantly increased the likelihood of developing PsA, with odds ratios of 3.3 and 12.9, respectively.
Among the strongest predictors were the presence of psoriasis, nail abnormalities, and dactylitis, which were strongly associated with the development of PsA. Patients presenting with dactylitis at onset were found to have an odds ratio of 43.4 (P < 0.001), further emphasizing its role as a key clinical marker. This long-term study underscores the potential of the CASPAR criteria to better capture the heterogeneous nature of PsA in JIA patients. Researchers suggest that early identification of key features like psoriasis and dactylitis could aid in timely intervention and improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the utility of these findings in clinical practice, but the results provide valuable information for healthcare professionals managing JIA patients at risk for PsA. Reference: Szentpetery A et al. Characteristics That Predict Psoriatic Arthritis by the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis 18 Years After Disease Onset. ACR Open Rheumatology. doi: 10.1002/acr2.11758. Anaya Malik | AMJ
