Psoriatic Arthritis

A small British study indicates that the use of several immunosuppressive agents can restore the effectiveness of ustekinumab (Stelara) in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Enthesitis refers to the instance of inflammation at the point where a tendon joins to a bone. Looking for further insight into the mechanisms behind inflammatory rheumatism, researchers from delved into the roots of Achilles enthesitis and may have emerged with a new approach to treating many rheumatic conditions.

Many studies have looked for a link between psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Some have found it, while others haven’t.

While it has been known for some time that psoriasis patients are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities, new research has shown that these patients also have a higher risk of developing aortic aneurysms.

Many psoriasis patients wish they were better informed of the significant impact their skin condition would have on their physical and mental health, according to results from Psoriasis in America 2016, a Health Union national survey.

A new matched cohort analysis contradicts several prior studies that conclude patients with psoriatic arthritis face an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidity.

Patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis still face challenges research has yet to meet, according to the authors: “Given the commonality of comorbidities across all three diseases, there is a degree of overlap in their management.”

Patients afflicted with severe psoriasis may be at higher risk for chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Analysis of data from 2 large trials finds that cutoffs used to separate different “disease activity states” on the Disease Activity index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) are valid. Different disease activity states are associated with different degrees of functional impairment and joint damage progression.

Psoriatic arthritis patients with carotid plaque have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CV), but don’t always receive the proper preventative care to manage that risk.

Researchers concluded that the drug secukinumab is associated with on-going inhibition of radiographic progression.

Taking the dual approach in biologic and phototherapy treatments appears to be a more beneficial clinical treatment method for patients suffering from moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

New research comparing patients and controls suggests that the body’s inflammatory response to psoriatic arthritis can lead to atherosclerosis and then to cardiovascular disease.

The gut microbiome has previously been considered a therapeutic target for the immune system, and new research suggests the microbiome’s composition can hold the key to managing psoriasis.

The US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Arthritis Advisory Committee recently voted unanimously to recommend the approval of biosimilars to adalimumab (Humira) and etanercept (Enbrel).

Most psoriatic arthritis patients can maintain low disease activity on reduced doses of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors — but patients who experience flares after switching to the lower dose can struggle to regain control over their disease.

A new study found that female psoriasis patients have a fourfold increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease (CD).

Type X collagen, which is expressed by hypertrophic chondrocytes, is suppressed by tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) treatments, arthritis researchers report.The finding could lead to a molecular marker for early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis.

A family history of heart attacks increases psoriasis patients’ odds of having heart attacks and strokes.

What happens when someone with psoriatic arthritis also has fibromyalgia? Researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel were determined to find out.

Novartis conducted a global survey of 8,338 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis across 31 countries to assess patients’ perceptions of what constitutes “clear skin.â€

While psoriasis has long been linked to other inflammatory conditions, there is little information about psoriasis-related hospitalization.

In patients diagnosed with psoriasis, disease severity has been strongly associated with developing a higher risk of comorbidities affecting the kidney, liver, and pancreas.

Analysis of a Danish registry found that a switch from infliximab (Remicade) to a biosimilar called Remsima did not appear to change disease activity status or increase the risk of flares in patients with psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients suffering from psoriasis are at increased risk of developing serious infections.

Most patients are well-meaning and generally nice. But every now and then, you will get one who is a total pain to deal with. Maybe your patient lies to you, gets sarcastic, asks for special “favors,†or generally just pushes your buttons. We’ve all been there.

It is frustrating, to say the least, when your patients take their frustrations out on you. And, as if having to deal with an angry patient isn’t bad enough, providers now have to worry about the threat of legal action more than ever before.

Nearly 1,000 rheumatoid arthritis patients members who follow the creakyjoints.org site said they would be willing to be research subjects.

After the FDA’s March approval of ixekizumab (Taltz/ Eli Lilly and Company), researchers recently confirmed the psoriasis treatment was beneficial even after 60 weeks.

Gene expression may impact severity of arthritis pain and lead to developments in personalizing medical care for these patients.