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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
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The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Photochemotherapy and psoriatic arthritis. A prospective study
Annals of Internal Medicine
|November 1, 1979
Summary
Aggressively managing psoriasis with photochemotherapy can improve joint symptoms in some psoriatic arthritis patients. This study highlights a potential link between skin and joint health in psoriatic disease management.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis often coexist.
- The relationship between skin and joint disease activity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal relationship between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
- To assess the impact of photochemotherapy on both conditions.
Main Methods:
- Studied 27 patients with psoriasis undergoing photochemotherapy.
- Classified patients into spondylitic and nonspondylitic groups.
- Monitored skin clearance and joint activity (articular index).
Main Results:
- Spondylitic patients showed independent skin and joint activity.
- Nonspondylitic patients experienced significant psoriasis clearance (67%) and joint improvement (49% articular index).
- An inverse relationship was observed between initial psoriasis severity and peripheral arthritis improvement.
Conclusions:
- Aggressive psoriasis management, like photochemotherapy, may help control synovitis in a subset of psoriatic arthritis patients.
- Findings suggest a subgroup of psoriatic arthritis patients benefit from treating their skin condition.
- Independent disease activity in spondylitic patients warrants further research.
