Pain in Psoriatic Arthritis

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Pain is typically ranked by both patients and physicians as the most important symptom of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to assess and treat. Although the predominant concept of the etiology of pain in PsA is that of inflammation in peripheral joints, entheses, and bone signaling through peripheral nociceptive fibers, perceived as pain in the central nervous system, it is actually more complex than that. The ability of a treatment to ameliorate pain is one of the principle measures of its effectiveness. Thus pain improvement or worsening are key determinants of shared decision making about treatment in PsA. 

Axial Disease in Psoriatic Arthritis

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Inflammatory involvement of the axial skeleton and sacroiliac joints occurs, on average, in 40-50% of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). When present, axial involvement is a “biomarker” of more severe PsA disease: more severe peripheral joint disease, enthesitis, skin disease, pain, impaired function and quality of life, and work productivity. Thus, it is important to recognize and include in a comprehensive PsA treatment approach.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

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It’s been reported that approximately one-third to one-half of patients with psoriatic arthritis will try supplements and other complementary and alternative medicinal (CAM) practices without discussing with their rheumatologists.  Of those, nearly 90% of PsA patients using CAM report benefits!  Here is your updated review on common supplement data in psoriasis and PsA. 

Methotrexate in PsA

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Until the publication of the SEAM trial, evidence in the medical literature for the efficacy of the most commonly used drug for psoriatic arthritis worldwide, methotrexate, has been lukewarm at best. Yet we all employ it commonly, either as monotherapy or in combination with biologic or targeted synthetic DMARD treatment. It is inexpensive and widely available, and only modestly toxic.

Combined Clinics for PsA

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Recognizing the importance of addressing all aspects of disease, we started our joint rheum-derm psoriatic disease clinic at Northwestern shortly after I arrived at the institution, and it has been a tremendous success.

MDA: Aiming for Perfection in PsA

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When it comes to psoriatic arthritis clinical trials such as TICOPA (tight control in PsA)  have consistently shown that treating to target correlates with improved disease domain and patient reported outcomes.  Minimal disease activity (MDA) has become an oft used target and outcome in PsA trials. While many of us measure and record a variety of measures in our patient charts, we may be on our way to demonstrating MDA in practice. Here is a quick review of MDA components and how to capture them for your patients. 

The Enthesitis Challenge in Psoriatic Arthritis

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A colleague of mine once told me an interesting story of how her father, who was a doctor, misdiagnosed his wife with fibromyalgia when she actually had psoriatic arthritis with enthesitis all along. I would venture out and say that the average physician would have trouble evaluating enthesitis because even we, as rheumatologists do! 

Combination Biologic Therapy in PsA: The beginning of a new era?

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Without question, basic immunology is at the foundation of rheumatology as a discipline. Indeed, for many rheumatologists, it was the intricacies of the immune system that attracted us into the field. With each passing year, extraordinary advances in scientific methods begat tremendous gains in our understanding of the immune system. Excitingly, we may be entering a new era, driven by results in psoriatic arthritis and other related diseases.

Rheumatology Valentine

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My uncle is going through medical hell.  As a committed iatrophobic (fear of doctors), any mention of phlebotomy, tests, needles or a clinic visit evokes flop-sweat.  Since being slapped with a cancer diagnosis, he has overcome a lot, and much to my surprise has bravely done so. When I asked how he has adapted so well to the medical onslaught he now leans into, his answer was quick and poignant.

A Guide to Self Care of (Mild) COVID19

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There is guidance published on how to manage moderate to severe cases, but very few blueprints detail what to do with “mild” infection.  The first day, I developed congestion and cough, with a sore throat.  As the day progressed, I started to have chills, low grade fevers, and myalgias.  The postnasal drainage was overwhelming, and when I tried to swallow, it felt like swallowing broken glass.  Isolating in my room, I was left to deal with my symptoms.