Development of an Instrument for Patient Self-assessment in Psoriatic Arthritis.

Objective: Due to the recent pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in-person scheduled rheumatology appointments in many countries have been reserved for urgent cases only. Here we report the development of a multidimensional, patient-completed disease assessment tool for use in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: A focus group development and education method was used, followed by a paired observation design to assess feasibility and validity.

Systematic literature review of non-topical treatments for early, untreated (systemic therapy naïve) psoriatic disease: a GRAPPA initiative.

Background: Psoriatic disease (PsD) is a complex systemic disorder with cutaneous and musculoskeletal manifestations. Current evidence on pharmacological interventions, effective across the spectrum of clinical manifestations of early, systemic treatment-naïve PsD, is limited. This review aims to appraise such evidence.

A clinical and radiographic comparison of patients with psoriatic arthritis from different ethnic backgrounds.

Objectives: There are few papers concerning ethnic differences in disease expression in PsA, which may be influenced by a number of genetic, lifestyle and cultural factors. This article aims to compare clinical and radiographic phenotypes in people of South Asian (SA) and North European (NE) origin with a diagnosis of PsA.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study recruiting patients of SA and NE origin from two hospitals in a well-defined area in the North of England.

Long-term follow-up of patients in the TIght COntrol of inflammation in early Psoriatic Arthritis (TICOPA) trial.

Objectives: The TIght COntrol of inflammation in early Psoriatic Arthritis (TICOPA) study was the first strategy trial in psoriatic arthritis using an early treat-to-target strategy to improve clinical outcomes. The current study aimed to review a cohort of patients who had completed TICOPA to judge if the clinical advantage gained by participants in the tight control (TC) arm was sustained, and to explore subsequent therapy.

Methods: A case note review was conducted for a cohort of patients who had participated in TICOPA.

Tofacitinib for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are inflammatory immune-mediated conditions which can cause considerable disability and reduced quality of life. Management can be complex as clinical heterogeneity may lead to different treatment pathways. Tofacitinib is a novel, oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor with proven efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Current concepts and unmet needs in psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that is part of the spondyloarthropathy group of rheumatic diseases and has associated co-morbidities. It can present with various clinical manifestations making diagnosis and treatment challenging, resulting in significant disability and reduced quality of life for patients. Whilst there have been advances in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease which have resulted in targeted therapies, there is still the need for further studies as some patients fail or are intolerant of current therapies.

The dynamics of response as measured by multiple composite outcome tools in the TIght COntrol of inflammation in early Psoriatic Arthritis (TICOPA) trial.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the dynamics of treatment response with different composite measures in the TIght COntrol of inflammation in early Psoriatic Arthritis (TICOPA) trial.

Methods: Participants with early disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were randomised 1:1 to either tight control (TC; 4 weekly review with therapy escalation if criteria not met) or standard care (SC; 12 weekly review). We calculated modified versions of the Psoriatic ArthritiS Disease Activity Score (PASDAS), Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) Composite scorE (GRACE) and Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index (CPDAI) at baseline and 12 weekly to 48 weeks by blinded assessor.

A diagnostic dilemma: differentiating between granulomatosis with polyangiitis and tuberculosis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, formerly Wegener's granulomatosis) can present diagnostic difficulties for the clinician as there can be considerable overlap in features with tuberculosis (TB). Indeed, there are documented cases both of coexisting TB and GPA, and cases wrongly diagnosed as GPA when in fact TB was the underlying diagnosis. This lesson presents a case of GPA where TB was also considered as a differential and highlights the diagnostic and management difficulties when this is the case.