Psoriatic Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that typically affects joints and soft tissues such as tendons. Poorly controlled or untreated psoriatic arthritis can lead to joint damage, disability and poor physical and mental wellbeing. Evidence suggests that early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis can minimise adverse health outcomes. Musculoskeletal ultrasound has become an extremely useful tool in aiding rheumatologists to diagnose inflammatory joint conditions particularly at an early stage in the course of a disease. Psoriatic arthritis is known to affect up to 30% of patients with skin psoriasis. Therefore, national dermatology guidelines advise that patients with skin psoriasis should be asked about any joint symptoms at least every year. This study investigates whether skin psoriasis patients who are not on biologic treatment are indeed being asked about any joint symptoms and we subsequently invite patients for a musculoskeletal ultrasound scan to see if they have features of early psoriatic arthritis on ultrasound. Those who do are then invited for a thorough rheumatology clinical assessment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
8
Psoriasis epidemiology screening tool (PEST) score for completion Brief questionnaire about current psoriasis symptoms, current treatment and if any features associated with psoriatic arthritis. One-off musculo-skeletal ultrasound Questionnaire at 2 years
George Hirsch
Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Proportion of patients with known skin psoriasis have features in keeping with psoriatic arthritis on musculoskeletal ultrasound
proportion of patients with known skin psoriasis have features in keeping with psoriatic arthritis on musculoskeletal ultrasound
Time frame: 3 years
Risk factors associated with those psoriasis patients who do have features of psoriatic arthritis on musculoskeletal ultrasound
Are there any particular risk factors associated with those psoriasis patients who do have features of psoriatic arthritis on musculoskeletal ultrasound?
Time frame: 3 years
PEST Scores
To identify whether patients who have higher PEST scores are more likely to have features of psoriatic arthritis on ultrasound
Time frame: 3 years
PEST score element
Which element of a PEST score, if reported by a patient, is most likely to be associated with features of psoriatic arthritis on musculoskeletal ultrasound
Time frame: 3 years
High PEST score with normal ultrasound scan
Are patients with a high PEST score and a normal initial musculoskeletal ultrasound scan more likely to be diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis after 2 years
Time frame: 2 years
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