The PASE questionnaire: pilot-testing a psoriatic arthritis screening and evaluation tool

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Dermatology
• Musculoskeletal Diseases

Background:

• Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects up to one-third of psoriasis patients, necessitating early detection to prevent complications.
• Timely diagnosis and treatment initiation are crucial for managing PsA and improving patient outcomes.
• A need exists for effective screening tools to identify PsA symptoms in psoriasis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a patient self-administered tool for screening inflammatory arthritis signs in psoriasis patients.
• The study aimed to create a reliable instrument for early PsA detection.
• The goal was to provide a practical screening solution for clinical use.

Main Methods:

• The Psoriatic Arthritis Screening and Evaluation (PASE) questionnaire was developed using standardized methodology.
• A multidisciplinary team, including dermatologists and rheumatologists, collaborated with patient focus groups.
• The PASE tool was validated on 69 participants with psoriasis, assessing its ability to distinguish PsA from other conditions.

Main Results:

• The PASE questionnaire demonstrated effectiveness in distinguishing PsA from non-PsA patients, with a median score of 53 for PsA versus 39 for non-PsA (P < .001).
• PASE scores also significantly differed between PsA and osteoarthritis patients (P = .002).
• A PASE total score of 47 or higher identified PsA with 82% sensitivity and 73% specificity.

Conclusions:

• The PASE questionnaire serves as a valuable self-administered screening tool for psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients.
• PASE can differentiate symptoms of PsA from those of osteoarthritis.
• Further validation in community dermatology clinics is recommended for broader application.