Articles By Antoni Chan, MD, PhD
Synovio-entheseal inflammation and the tipping point from PsO to PsA
Psoriatic arthritis develops in approximately 20 to 30 per cent of patients with psoriasis, yet predicting which patients will make the transition and when, has remained one of the most clinically challenging questions in rheumatology. A study presented at EULAR 2026 provides the most granular ultrasound characterisation yet of the journey from psoriasis, through subclinical disease, to early clinical PsA. The study identifies the specific imaging features that distinguish patients whose arthralgia is progressing toward arthritis from those who remain stable.
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New Oral Option for axSpA: Filgotinib for Radiographic and Non-Radiographic Disease
The Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) class has been increasingly used in the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) over the past five years, offering effective oral alternatives to injectable biologics. But are all JAK inhibitors the same?
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Strike First: TNFi vs. Step-Up Therapy in Early Peripheral SpA
The approach to the treatment of peripheral SpA has been the same for a long time. The guidelines recommend starting with NSAIDs, escalate to conventional synthetic DMARDs, typically sulfasalazine or methotrexate and reserve biologics for patients who fail those. According to a new phase 3 trial presented at EULAR 2026, there may be a different way to approach this.
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The pain that inflammation does not explain in SpA and PsA
Clinicians often come across the scenario of a patient with well-controlled spondyloarthritis where the ASDAS in the low disease activity range, CRP normalised, joints clinically quiet. However, the patient returns to the clinic still reporting significant pain. Their rheumatologist adjusts the biological, waits, returns. The pain persists.
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Weight Loss as a Therapeutic Goal in Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex inflammatory disease often complicated by obesity, which not only worsens disease activity but also impairs treatment response. At ACR Convergence 2025, three compelling studies spanning pharmacologic, lifestyle, and longitudinal observational data converged on a central theme: weight loss is a powerful modulator of PsA outcomes, regardless of the intervention used.
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The Long View of Diagnostic Delay in Axial Spondyloarthritis
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remains a diagnostic challenge, particularly in its early stages before structural sacroiliitis is visible on imaging.
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Sleep Apnea in Psoriatic Arthritis – A Wake Up Call
Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), yet its causes are often underexplored. At ACR 2025, Abstract #0549, a possible hidden contributor was studied: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
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ICYMI: Combination treatments in Psoriatic Arthritis
Despite the advances in the treatment of PsA with biologic (bDMARD) and targeted synthetic (tsDMARD), less than half of patients with this condition achieved remission or low disease activity. Combination DMARD treatment is often used in order to achieve remission or minimal disease activity. The standard practice is to use a conventional synthetic (csDMARD) with a bDMARD. The use of the combination of bDMARD with a tsDMARD such as a JAKi or TYK2i is a new order in the treatment of PsA.
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Harnessing AI in axSpA: The Promise of Digital Therapeutics with Axia
The management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) continues to evolve with the integration of artificial intelligence and digital health technologies. At #EULAR2025, the Bechterew-App Trial (LB0002) presented important new data on Axia, a novel AI-powered digital therapeutic developed for axSpA.
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Imaging and Early Detection in Psoriatic Arthritis
At EULAR 2025, there have been new developments in imaging in PsA.
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