Sex, PsA, and Spondylitis in Turkish Population

Research reveals male patients with peripheral psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have a higher risk of developing spondylitis, in recent study of Turkish populations. The same study, Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) Network, also revealed that female patients with PsA experience lower remission rates and higher disease activity levels. The TLAR study compared clinical features, disease activity, and patient-reported outcomes (such as anxiety, depression, physical function, fatigue, fibromyalgia, and quality of life) among 360 male and 678 female Turkish patients with peripheral PsA. Peripheral PsA was determined using the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR). Researchers employed the use of disease activity scores (DAS28) and clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) scores. “Remission, minimal disease activity (MDA), and very low disease activity (VLDA) were determined. Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Short-Form-36 (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), fatigue VAS (0–10), and Fibromyalgia Rapid ScreeningTool (FiRST) were used. Disease activity and patient-reported outcomes were compared in male and female patients, and the predictors of MDA for both genders were analyzed,” the authors reported. The mean age among female patients was 47.6 years, and 46.3 years for male patients.  “In patients with peripheral PsA, males are more likely to develop spondylitis while other extraarticular manifestations are similar. Female patients appear to have lower rates of remission and MDA, and higher levels of disease activity. Female patients experience a more severe course of PsA, with higher levels of pain and fatigue, lower quality of life, and increased functional limitations. The predictors of MDA, i.e., tender joint count, swollen joint count, PASI, pain VAS, and enthesitis are similar between the two genders,” the authors concluded.   —Angelique Platas   Reference: Duruöz MT, Gexer HH, Nas K, et al. Gender-related differences in disease activity and clinical features in patients with peripheral psoriatic arthritis: a multi-center study. Joint Bone Spine. 2021; 88(4):105-117. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbspin.2021.105177