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Psoriatic arthritis: pharmacotherapy update
1Swedish Medical Center, Division of Rheumatology Research, Seattle Rheumatology Associates, University of Washington, 1101 Madison Street, Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. pmease@nwlink.com
Current Rheumatology Reports
|May 22, 2010
Summary
Psoriatic arthritis, a systemic disease, presents diverse symptoms. Biologic agents, particularly anti-TNF therapies, show significant efficacy in managing symptoms, reducing damage, and improving quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology and Dermatology
- Systemic Inflammatory Disorders
Background:
- Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, systemic disease characterized by diverse clinical manifestations including psoriasis, peripheral arthritis, axial disease, enthesitis, and dactylitis.
- It significantly impacts patients through chronic pain, altered physical appearance, and loss of function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advancements in understanding, assessment, and treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
- To highlight the role of collaborative efforts between rheumatologists and dermatologists.
Main Methods:
- Review of collaborative efforts in developing classification criteria and outcome measures.
- Analysis of treatment trials, particularly focusing on biologic agents.
Main Results:
- Biologic agents, especially anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents, demonstrate significant efficacy across all clinical domains of psoriatic arthritis.
- These treatments lead to amelioration of clinical symptoms, inhibition of structural damage, and improvements in patient function and quality of life.
- The safety profile of these agents is considered reasonable.
Conclusions:
- Collaborative efforts have significantly advanced the understanding and management of psoriatic arthritis.
- Biologic therapies, particularly anti-TNF agents, represent a major therapeutic advance for psoriatic arthritis, improving patient outcomes.
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