Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Video Project 2010: a report from the GRAPPA annual meeting

Investigators use several physical examination measures to assess clinical features and severity of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in clinical trials, clinical registries, and clinical practice; however, no relevant training modules are widely available to teach and standardize the performance of these measures. At a GRAPPA (Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis) meeting adjacent to the 2009 International Federation of Psoriasis Associations in Stockholm, members were updated on the development status of online training videos of psoriasis and PsA examination measures. Dermatology assessment modules include the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, the Static Physician Global Assessment, body surface area, the original and modified Nail Psoriasis Severity Index, the Palmar-Plantar Pustular Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and the Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index. Rheumatology modules include assessment of tender and swollen joint counts used in the American College of Rheumatology criteria, Disease Activity Score, and other composite arthritis scores; enthesitis assessment used in various enthesitis scoring systems; dactylitis; and spine disease. Each module will include background information for each measure, diagrams and photographs to emphasize teaching points, demonstration video of examination where applicable, and an optional examination at the end. Future plans include evaluating the modules for their influence on interrater and intrarater reliability and development of additional modules.