Multimorbidity in psoriasis as a risk factor for psoriatic arthritis: a population-based study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Rheumatology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with various comorbidities.
• Understanding the burden of multimorbidity in psoriasis and its impact on developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of multimorbidity in patients with psoriasis.
• To determine the association between multimorbidity and the subsequent development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study using the Rochester Epidemiology Project.
• Identified incident and prevalent psoriasis cohorts and matched comparators.
• Defined multimorbidity and PsA using established criteria and analyzed associations with Cox models.

Main Results:

• Multimorbidity was more common in prevalent psoriasis patients (OR 1.35-1.48) but not incident cases compared to controls.
• Over a median 13.3-year follow-up, 2.9% of psoriasis patients developed PsA.
• Baseline multimorbidity (≥2 conditions) was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of developing PsA.

Conclusions:

• Psoriasis patients may experience accelerated multimorbidity development.
• Multimorbidity at psoriasis onset is a significant risk factor for PsA development.
• Close monitoring of multimorbid psoriasis patients for PsA is recommended.