Psoriasis Burden is Mild in Early PsA But Impacts HRQoL

The majority of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have mild psoriasis during the first year of follow-up, but psoriasis impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL) when measured using a dermatology-specific HRQoL questionnaire.

“Therefore, in order to assess the burden of psoriasis in early PsA patients and whether more attention from rheumatologists is warranted, the aim of this study is (1) to quantify the degree of psoriasis evolution in patients with early psoriatic arthritis during the first year of follow up and (2) to evaluate whether the impact of psoriasis on HRQoL in PsA can be adequately measured with a dermatology-specific HRQoL questionnaire,” wrote the study authors.

Researchers used data from patients with PsA in the Dutch south west Early Psoriatic Arthritis cohort and measured severity with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). The evolution of psoriasis during the first year of follow-up and the association between the severity and symptoms and psychosocial subscale was assessed.

Results showed that psoriasis severity in patients with PsA is mild with minor fluctuations during the first year and remained in this category. In addition, a dermatology-specific HRQoL questionnaire measured the impact of psoriasis severity.

“Psoriasis severity in PsA patients is mostly mild but impacts HRQoL when measured using a dermatology-specific HRQoL questionnaire,” concluded the study authors. “For optimal management of PsA patients, we recommend rheumatologists acquire information on skin burden by using a dermatology-specific HRQoL questionnaire,” they continued.

Reference