Articles By Antoni Chan, MD, PhD
Atacar primero: iTNF frente a la terapia escalonada en la EpA periférica temprana
El enfoque del tratamiento de la espondiloartritis periférica (EpA) ha sido el mismo durante mucho tiempo. Las guías clínicas recomiendan empezar con AINE, escalar a FAME sintéticos convencionales, normalmente sulfasalazina o metotrexato, y reservar los biológicos para los pacientes en los que estos fracasan. Según un nuevo ensayo de fase 3 presentado en el congreso EULAR 2026, podría haber una forma diferente de abordar esta cuestión.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
El dolor que la inflamación no explica en la espondiloartritis y la artritis psoriásica
Los médicos a menudo se encuentran con el escenario de un paciente con espondiloartritis bien controlada en el que el ASDAS se encuentra en el rango de baja actividad de la enfermedad, la PCR está normalizada y las articulaciones están clínicamente inactivas. Sin embargo, el paciente vuelve a la consulta informando todavía de un dolor significativo. Su reumatólogo ajusta el tratamiento biológico, espera y el paciente regresa. El dolor persiste.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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).
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
Imaging and Early Detection in Psoriatic Arthritis
At EULAR 2025, there have been new developments in imaging in PsA.
Read Article
