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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Self-Assessment Protocol for Predicting Psoriatic Arthritis in Psoriasis Patients
Published on: March 1, 2024
Measurement properties of the minimal disease activity criteria for psoriatic arthritis
Laura C Coates1, Vibeke Strand2,3, Hilary Wilson4
1Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Objective:
To comprehensively assess evidence on the measurement properties of the minimal disease activity (MDA) criteria, a composite measure of the state of disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Methods:
A targeted literature review was conducted to identify studies that informed the validity and/or ability of the MDA to detect change among patients known to have experienced a change in clinical status. The search was conducted using MEDLINE and Embase databases (published as of October 2017). Pertinent articles provided by investigators and identified from select conference proceedings were also evaluated.
Results:
A total of 20 publications met the inclusion criteria. The MDA criteria were consistently associated with other indicators of disease activity/severity. The ability of the MDA criteria to detect change was supported in randomised controlled trials (n=10), with a greater percentage of patients randomised to active treatments achieving MDA relative to patients in comparator arms. Long-term observational studies (n=2) provided additional support for the ability of the MDA to detect within-subject change in the real-world settings.
Conclusion:
Evidence supports the MDA as a valid measure of disease activity in PsA that can detect between-group and within-subject change. The MDA is a comprehensive measure and clinically meaningful endpoint to assess the impact of interventions on PsA disease activity.
Insights
The minimal disease activity (MDA) criteria effectively measure disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This composite measure is validated for assessing treatment impact and detecting changes in patient status.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Trial Analysis
- Outcome Measurement
Background:
- Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) requires reliable measures of disease activity.
- The minimal disease activity (MDA) criteria offer a composite assessment of PsA status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the measurement properties of the MDA criteria in PsA.
- To assess the validity and responsiveness of MDA in capturing disease activity changes.
Main Methods:
- A targeted literature review identified 20 publications up to October 2017.
- Included studies assessed MDA validity and ability to detect clinical status changes.
- Searches covered MEDLINE, Embase, and conference proceedings.
Main Results:
- MDA criteria consistently correlated with other disease activity and severity indicators.
- Ten randomized controlled trials demonstrated MDA's ability to detect between-group changes.
- Two observational studies supported MDA's capacity for within-subject change detection.
Conclusions:
- The MDA criteria are a valid and responsive measure for PsA disease activity.
- MDA serves as a comprehensive and clinically meaningful endpoint for evaluating interventions in PsA.
