In a paper published by Zabotti et al in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) outlined new points to consider in characterizing the preclinical phase in the transition from psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis. In the new study, a multidisciplinary team of investigators conducted systematic literature reviews with the goal of establishing 10 points to consider as well as new nomenclature to assign to 3 stages preceding psoriatic arthritis—psoriasis at higher risk of psoriatic arthritis, subclinical psoriatic arthritis, and clinical psoriatic arthritis. In addition, the authors provided recommendations for arthralgia and imaging abnormalities in patients with subclinical psoriatic arthritis and how these factors can be used to predict disease development. The investigators also emphasized the need for rheumatologists and dermatologists to collaborate to develop preventive care strategies. The study authors concluded that by better understanding the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis, physicians can more effectively identify clinical and imaging features of patients with psoriasis at high risk of progression as well as help mitigate risk factors for psoriatic arthritis and disease progression.
July 27, 2023