Psoriasis-to-Psoriatic Arthritis Transition Time Linked to Disease Activity but Not Radiographic Progression
A new study published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism examining the relationship between the interval from psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) diagnosis suggests that a longer transition period may be associated with lower disease activity over time, although it does not significantly impact radiographic progression.
The study analyzed 702 patients with PsA from a prospective observational cohort, dividing them into early and late transition groups based on a median transition time of 9 years. Researchers assessed differences in baseline characteristics and long-term outcomes using logistic and multivariate linear regression models.
Patients in the late transition group were younger at psoriasis diagnosis but older when diagnosed with PsA. At baseline, they exhibited higher body mass index and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores and were less likely to have received conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
“On follow-up, there was a trend for lower cumulative disease activity in the late transition group,” the authors reported. However, no significant difference was observed in radiographic progression between the 2 groups.
Despite variations in disease activity over time, baseline PsA features remained largely similar between the groups. “There were no significant differences in the PsA features at baseline between the two groups,” the study concluded.
These findings highlight the potential influence of transition time on PsA disease course, suggesting that a longer interval between psoriasis and PsA diagnosis may be associated with lower long-term disease activity. However, the lack of difference in structural damage progression reinforces the need for ongoing monitoring and management regardless of transition timing.
Reference
Kharouf F, Mehta P, Gao S, et al. Comparative analysis of disease outcomes: early vs. late transition from psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published online January 30, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2025.152639
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