Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Author Spotlight: Self-Assessment Protocol for Predicting Psoriatic Arthritis in Psoriasis Patients
Published on: March 1, 2024
Risk of uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease in people with psoriatic arthritis: a population-based cohort study
Rachel Charlton1, Amelia Green1,2, Gavin Shaddick3
1Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
Insights
Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have a significantly higher risk of developing uveitis and Crohn's disease compared to the general population and psoriasis patients. However, the risk for ulcerative colitis remains similar across these groups.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Ophthalmology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with various comorbidities.
- Understanding the specific risks of ocular and gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions in PsA is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.
- To compare these risks against a general population cohort and a cohort of patients with psoriasis.
Main Methods:
- A UK-based cohort study utilized data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (1998-2014).
- Incident PsA cases were identified and matched with psoriasis patients and general population controls.
- Incidence rates of uveitis, IBD (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) were calculated and adjusted relative risks (RRadj) were determined.
Main Results:
- Patients with PsA showed a significantly elevated risk of uveitis (RRadj 3.55 vs. general population; RRadj 2.13 vs. psoriasis).
- A notable increase in Crohn's disease risk was observed in PsA patients (RRadj 2.96 vs. general population; RRadj 3.60 vs. psoriasis).
- No significant difference in ulcerative colitis risk was found between PsA patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Patients with psoriatic arthritis face substantial risks for developing uveitis and Crohn's disease.
- The risk for ulcerative colitis does not appear to be elevated in PsA patients compared to controls.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring for specific inflammatory comorbidities in PsA management.
Objectives:
To determine the risk of uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared with the general population and patients with psoriasis.
Methods:
A cohort study using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink between 1998 and 2014. Patients with incident PsA aged 18-89 years were identified and matched to a cohort of patients with psoriasis and a general population cohort. The incidence of uveitis, all IBD, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis was calculated for each study cohort and adjusted relative risks (RRadj) were calculated using conditional Poisson regression.
Results:
6783 incident cases of PsA were identified with a median age of 49 years. The risk of uveitis was significantly higher in the PsA cohort than in the general population and psoriasis cohorts (RRadj 3.55, 95% CI 2.21 to 5.70 and RRadj 2.13, 95% CI 1.40 to 3.24, respectively). A significant increase was observed for Crohn's disease (RRadj 2.96, 95% CI 1.46 to 6.00 and RRadj3.60, 95% CI 1.83 to 7.10) but not for ulcerative colitis (RRadj1.30, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.56 and RRadj0.98, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.92).
Conclusions:
In a primary care-based incidence cohort of patients with PsA, there were substantial risks of developing uveitis and/or Crohn's disease, but not ulcerative colitis, when compared with the general population and psoriasis controls.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...