New findings indicate that individuals with psoriasis (PsO) are at a higher risk for developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA) if they have nail involvement, are aged 40 or older, have high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), or an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Researchers of the study highlight the utility of non-invasive MRI in evaluating inflammatory arthritis and aimed to identify risk factors for the progression of PsO to PsA.

The research involved a retrospective, longitudinal case-control study of 420 patients with psoriasis, with 75 developing PsA and 345 not. Using the CASPAR criteria for PsA diagnosis and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the study found significant associations between PsA and nail involvement, increased hs-CRP levels, age 40 or older, and elevated ESR. MRI-detected enthesitis and tenosynovitis showed strong diagnostic accuracy. Despite acknowledging limitations like selection bias and the need for external validation, the study underscores the importance of imaging in managing patients with psoriasis.

Reference: Smith T. Key Risk Factors Identified for Psoriasis Transforming Into Psoriatic Arthritis. HCPLive. Published May 16, 2024. Accessed June 18, 2024. https://www.hcplive.com/view/key-risk-factors-identified-for-psoriasis-transforming-into-psoriatic-arthritis