Measurement Assessment of Minimal Disease Activity In Psoriasis in Spain: A National Cross-Sectional Study. / Valoración de la medida de Actividad Mínima de Enfermedad en Psoriasis en España: estudio transversal nacional.

INTRODUCTION: In 2017, the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Psoriasis Working Group (PWG) designed the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) criteria to determine the level of disease activity. We hereby present the results of an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study of the nationwide application of these criteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized sampling, stratified to achieve autonomic and provincial representation of consecutive patients with psoriasis (Ps) vulgaris without active arthritis. A total of 830 patients were included: 493 men (59.5%), with a mean age of 51.4 years (SD, 14.2), from all autonomous regions of Spain (except for Ceuta and Melilla) and 44 (88%) out of the 50 provinces. A questionnaire was obtained with demographic data, DLQI, subjective assessment-on a scale from 0 to 10-of itching, erythema, desquamation, visibility, and the patients' PASI and BSA. RESULTS: More than 50% failed to meet the MDA criteria (491; 59.2%), with significant differences being reported by region, sex, and age. Additionally, significant differences were reported based on the therapy used (P<.001). The use of biological therapies was associated with higher MDA compliance compared to other therapies (59.4% vs 23.3%). No differences were reported among various biological therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of MDA compliance is low, with differences being based on geographic location, sex, age, and drug used, yet none of these factors separately justify them.

Valoración de la medida de Actividad Mínima de Enfermedad en Psoriasis en España: estudio transversal nacional.

INTRODUCTION: in 2017, the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Psoriasis Working Group (PWG) designed the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) criteria to determine the level of disease activity. We hereby present the results of an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study of the nationwide application of these criteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we conducted a non-randomized sampling, stratified to achieve autonomic and provincial representation of consecutive patients with psoriasis (Ps) vulgaris without active arthritis. A total of 830 patients were included: 493 men (59.5%), with a mean age of 51.4 years (SD, 14.2), from all autonomous regions of Spain (except for Ceuta and Melilla) and 44 (88%) out of the 50 provinces. A questionnaire was obtained with demographic data, DLQI, subjective assessment-on a scale from 0 to 10-of itching, erythema, desquamation, visibility, and the patients' PASI and BSA. RESULTS: more than 50% failed to meet the MDA criteria (491; 59.2%), with significant differences being reported by region, sex, and age. Additionally, significant differences were reported based on the therapy used (p < 0.001). The use of biological therapies was associated with higher MDA compliance compared to other therapies (59.4% vs 23.3%). No differences were reported among various biological therapies. CONCLUSIONS: the overall rate of MDA compliance is low, with differences being based on geographic location, sex, age, and drug used, yet none of these factors separately justify them.

Treat to target and prevention of subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic arthritis-which target should we choose?

OBJECTIVE: PsA patients who achieved sustained minimal disease activity (sMDA) had less subclinical atherosclerosis progression. The vascular effects of achieving other potential treatment targets, including the PsA Disease Activity Score (PASDAS) and the Disease Activity in PsA (DAPSA) score, remained uncertain. This study aimed to compare the vascular effects of achieving different treatment targets in PsA patients. METHOD: This is a post hoc analysis of a 2 year treat-to-target study aimed at MDA. A total of 101 consecutive PsA patients without overt cardiovascular disease were recruited. High-resolution carotid ultrasound and arterial stiffness markers were assessed annually. Low disease activity (LDA) was defined as MDA, DAPSA ≤14 or PASDAS ≤3.2. Sustained disease control was defined as achieving these targets at each visit from month 12 until month 24. RESULTS: Ninety patients [52 male (57.8%), age 50 years (s.d. 11)] who completed 24 months of follow-up were included in this analysis. A total of 44%, 48% and 45% of patients achieved sustained DAPSA LDA (sDAPDA-LDA), sustained PASDAS LDA (sPASDAS-LDA) and sMDA, respectively. Patients who achieved sMDA had significantly less progression of carotid intima-media thickness than those who did not (P = 0.031). Using multivariate analysis, achieving sMDA and sPASDAS-LDA had a protective effect on plaque progression, less increase in total plaque area, reduced mean intima-media thickness and reduced augmentation index after adjusting for covariates. In contrast, no significant differences in the progression of vascular parameters were demonstrated between patients who did or did not achieve sDAPSA-LDA. CONCLUSION: Achieving sMDA/sDASPAS-LDA, but not sDAPSA-LDA, was associated with a protective effect in subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness progression. A multidimensional domain of disease control might be better in minimizing cardiovascular risk in PsA.

Remission and low disease activity in psoriatic arthritis publications: a systematic literature review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Remission (REM) or low disease activity (LDA) is the treatment target in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The objective of this study was to assess the reporting and prevalence of REM/LDA in published studies of PsA. METHODS: This was a systematic literature review of all clinical papers published in PubMed, EMBASE or Cochrane database in English between 2012 and 2019 in the field of PsA. Data were collected regarding reporting of REM/LDA by very low disease activity/minimal disease activity (VLDA/MDA), Disease Activity index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), or Disease Activity Score 28 joints (DAS28). The pooled rates of REM and LDA by each definition were calculated by random effect meta-analysis. RESULTS: In all, 258 publications (corresponding to 114 651 patients), of which 81 (31%) were randomized controlled trials, were analysed: patients' mean age was 49.4 ( 4.4) years; with a mean disease duration of 8.5 ( 3.8) years. REM/LDA was reported in 91/258 (35.3%) publications. VLDA/MDA was used in 61/91 (67.0%) studies, DAPSA in 27/91 (29.6%) and DAS28 in 28/91 (30.7%), with 40/91 (43.9%) papers reporting several of these definitions. The pooled prevalence (lower-upper limits) of REM was 13.1% (10.9-15.4), 23.1% (16.8-30.1) and 42.1% (33.9-50.4) using VLDA, DAPSA-REM and DAS28, respectively. For LDA the pooled prevalence was 36.3% (32.3-40.5), 52.8% (41.8-63.6) and 60.4% (52.5-68.0) using MDA, DAPSA-LDA and DAS28, respectively. CONCLUSION: REM/LDA status was reported in only1/3 of recent studies on PsA, with important variations in the frequency of these outcomes according to the definition used: 13.1-42.1% for REM, and 36.3-60.4% for LDA. This highlights the need for consensus.

[Treatment of psoriatic arthritis : Are there differential indications?] / Therapie der Psoriasisarthritis : Gibt es eine Differenzialindikation?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a very heterogeneous immune-mediated disease that usually involves skin and joints but can also affect entheses and extra-articular structures during the disease course. Furthermore, it can also be linked with other associated diseases. Therefore, the individualized selection of an effective and patient-oriented treatment must be carried out taking the extent of various manifestations of the PsA itself and also of other influencing factors into consideration. Various recommendations for selection and control of the suitable treatment of PsA are available for clinical use. The recommendations of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) are the two recommendations that are frequently used and internationally acknowledged. Both recommendations were updated in 2016. Specific German treatment recommendations are currently missing. In analogy to the treat-to-target strategy for rheumatoid arthritis, at least minimal disease activity (MDA) should be achieved in PsA patients with the use of specific therapeutic interventions if remission as the maximum therapeutic goal cannot be reached. New treatment options, which target different specific molecules, offer possibilities for a more differentiated personalized medicinal treatment for improvement of the care of PsA patients. This particularly applies to a focus on personalized strategies for optimal treatment of various manifestation forms and patterns.

Exploration of the Product of the 5-Point Investigator's Global Assessment and Body Surface Area (IGA × BSA) as a Practical Minimal Disease Activity Goal in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In the treat-to-target era, psoriasis disease activity measures that can be easily performed in routine clinical practice are needed. This retrospective pooled analysis explored cutoff values of the product of the 5-point Investigator's Global Assessment and percentage of affected body surface area (IGA × BSA) correlating with achievement of minimal disease activity (MDA). METHODS: Post hoc analysis of the phase 3 clinical trials ERASURE, FIXTURE, FEATURE, and JUNCTURE was conducted to determine associations between IGA × BSA and 2 MDA definitions (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI] 90 and Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] 0/1, or PASI score ≤1 or BSA <3%) in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis receiving secukinumab 300 mg. For each definition of MDA, a range of possible cutoff values of IGA × BSA was examined at each time point. The optimal cutoff value was determined using Youden index (YI), calculated as (sensitivity + specificity - 1). RESULTS: For MDA defined as PASI 90 and DLQI 0/1, optimal IGA × BSA cutoffs were 2.10 at week 12 (YI, 0.60; sensitivity, 0.78; specificity, 0.82), 1.02 at week 24 (YI, 0.55; sensitivity, 0.73; specificity, 0.82), and 1.00 at week 52 (YI, 0.65; sensitivity, 0.79; specificity, 0.86). For MDA defined as PASI score ≤1 or BSA <3%, optimal IGA × BSA cutoffs were 2.98 at week 12 (YI, 0.91; sensitivity, 0.99; specificity, 0.92), 2.80 at week 24 (YI, 0.94; sensitivity, 0.99; specificity, 0.95), and 3.00 at week 52 (YI, 0.96; sensitivity, 1.00; specificity, 0.96). CONCLUSION: IGA × BSA could be a valid measure highly associated with achievement of MDA.

Residual symptoms and disease burden among patients with psoriatic arthritis: is a new disease activity index required?

The aim of this study was to investigate residual symptoms or disease burden among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in remission or low disease activity (LDA) according to different outcome measures. A total of 126 patients with PsA were included and the following variables were assessed: Tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), patient's global assessment, physician's global assessment, pain, extra-articular manifestations, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, Health Assessment Questionnaire, fatigue, Short Form-36, psoriatic quality of life, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and C-reactive protein (CRP). Disease activity was measured using three different outcome measures including minimal disease activity (MDA), disease activity score for 28 joints (DAS28-CRP) and disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (DAPSA). The number (%) of patients who achieved remission or LDA was 9(14.1), 34(27.0) and 67(53.2) according to MDA, DAPSA and DAS28-CRP criteria, respectively, under usual care. SJC > 1 was seen in 3(8.8%) and 13(19.4%) of patients in remission or LDA as defined by the DAPSA and DAS28-CRP respectively. TJC > 1 was found at least 32.4% of patients with PsA in remission or LDA by any definition. 22.2-49.3% of patients with PsA in remission or LDA still suffered from clinically important fatigue. No patients in MDA had a substantial functional impairment while 2.9-19.4% of patients fulfilling remission or LDA according to the DAPSA and DAS28-CRP experienced functional disability. At least 22.2% of patients with PsA in remission or LDA by any description had higher risk for depression, and at least 11.1% for anxiety. Despite patients with PsA in remission or LDA by various definition, they may continue to experience pain, tender or swollen joints, fatigue, physiologic distress as well as functional impairment suggesting that there is a significant unmet need with regard to definition of remission or LDA in PsA.

Partially hidden multi-state modelling of a prolonged disease state defined by a composite outcome.

For rheumatic diseases, Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) is usually defined as a composite outcome which is a function of several individual outcomes describing symptoms or quality of life. There is ever increasing interest in MDA but relatively little has been done to characterise the pattern of MDA over time. Motivated by the aim of improving the modelling of MDA in psoriatic arthritis, the use of a two-state model to estimate characteristics of the MDA process is illustrated when there is particular interest in prolonged periods of MDA. Because not all outcomes necessary to define MDA are measured at all clinic visits, a partially hidden multi-state model with latent states is used. The defining outcomes are modelled as conditionally independent given these latent states, enabling information from all visits, even those with missing data on some variables, to be used. Data from the Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic are analysed to demonstrate improvements in accuracy and precision from the inclusion of data from visits with incomplete information on MDA. An additional benefit of this model is that it can be extended to incorporate explanatory variables, which allows process characteristics to be compared between groups. In the example, the effect of explanatory variables, modelled through the use of relative risks, is also summarised in a potentially more clinically meaningful manner by comparing times in states, and probabilities of visiting states, between patient groups.

Residual disease activity in psoriatic arthritis: discordance between the rheumatologist's opinion and minimal disease activity measurement.

Objective: To assess how many PsA patients with an acceptable disease state according to the treating rheumatologist have quiescent disease defined as minimal disease activity (MDA). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 250 PsA patients. To assess current clinical practice as closely as possible, acceptable disease state was not determined by predefined activity measures, but instead was defined by asking rheumatologists to refer those patients whom they considered sufficiently treated. Patients were evaluated for current disease activity including clinical assessments and patient reported outcomes (PROs). Results: One-third (88/250) of the patients with acceptable disease state according to the rheumatologist did not fulfil MDA (MDA-). The presence of tender joints and patient pain and global disease activity scores most frequently contributed to not fulfilling MDA (not achieved in 83, 82 and 80%, respectively). However, also objective signs of disease activity were higher in the MDA- than MDA+ patient group: a swollen joint count >1 occurred in 35% vs 7% (P < 0.001), enthesitis >1 in 14% vs 3% (P = 0.002) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index >1 in 43% vs 26% (P = 0.002). Residual disease was more frequent in females, elder patients and those with a raised BMI, independent of the treatment schedule, and negatively influenced PROs of function and quality of life. Conclusion: One-third of the PsA patients with acceptable disease state according to the treating rheumatologist did not fulfil the MDA criteria and had residual disease activity on both subjective and objective disease activity measurements. As residual disease activity was associated with worse PROs, future strategy trials should evaluate if treatment adjustments are beneficial for this patient group.

Novel Concepts in Psoriatic Arthritis Management: Can We Treat to Target?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory spondyloarthritis that can cause progressive joint damage and irreversible disability. Advances in modern therapies, now mean a target of remission is an achievable goal in PsA. There is strong and consistent evidence that a treat-to-target (T2T) approach to PsA management results in better patient outcomes; however, the practicalities of incorporating this strategy into routine clinical practice remain a challenge. The heterogeneous nature of this condition and the need for validated outcome measures have to-date hampered consensus on a definition of remission. This review aims to summarise the current T2T research landscape in PsA and highlight potential roles for biomarkers and imaging advances in revolutionising the T2T concept. RECENT FINDINGS: There is a growing body of evidence to support the implementation of a T2T strategy, using a pre-defined target in PsA management, with significant benefits in disease outcome, physical function and quality of life. Whilst remission is the ultimately goal for PsA patients and their clinicians, further comparative studies of different treatment targets are needed to establish a widely acceptable definition of remission.

Report of the Skin Research Working Groups from the GRAPPA 2017 Annual Meeting.

At the 2017 annual meeting of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA), the International Dermatology Outcome Measures (IDEOM) psoriasis working group presented an overview of its cutaneous domain of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) projects. First, the group presented an overview of IDEOM's work to establish psoriasis outcome measures that satisfy the needs of all those involved. Second, the group discussed replacements for the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) that can be used in clinical practice, including data that support the use of the physician's global assessment × body surface area measurement score as a PASI surrogate. Third, the group discussed the contribution of skin disease to composite measures of PsA. Last, the group summarized the National Psoriasis Foundation's efforts to establish treat-to-target strategies for psoriasis care.

Results of one-year treat-to-target strategy in early psoriatic arthritis: data of an open-label REMARCA study.

AIM: To study efficacy of treat-to-target (T2T) strategy in early peripheral psoriatic arthritis (EPsA) after one year of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 44 (M/F - 18/26) DMARD-naїve patients (pts) with active EPsA, according to the CASPAR criteria, mean age 37.5±11.3 years, PsA duration 7 [4; 24] months, psoriasis duration 36 [12; 84] months, disease activity index (DAS) 3.78 [3.18; 4.67], DAS28 4.33 [3.67; 4.8] study were included. At the baseline and every other 3 months for total 12 months of therapy all pts underwent standard clinical examination, tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), patient pain VAS, patient/physician´s global disease activity VAS, enthesitis by Leeds Enthesial Index (LEI)+Plantar Fascia (PF), dactylitis, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), body surface area (BSA), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), DAS, DAS28-C-RP, C-RP (mg/l). The dose of MTX s/c was escalated by 5 mg every 2 weeks from 10 mg/wk to appropriate dose 20-25 mg/wk according to the drug intolerance. If pts does not achieve the lower disease activity (LDA), MDA or remission after 3 months of MTX subcutaneous (s/c) mono-therapy, then combination therapy of MTX+Adalimumab (ADA) by standard regime was continued up to one year. At 12 months of therapy the proportion of pts who attained LDA by DAS/DAS28 or remission by DAS<1.6/DAS28-C-RP<2.6 or MDA, ACR20/50/70, PASI75 and dynamics of HAQ, LEI+PF, dactylitis were calculated. Mean±SD, Me [Q25; Q75], %, Friedman (Fr.) ANOVA, U-test, Wilcoxon test were performed. All p<0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: At one year of treatment according to T2T strategy significant improvements disease activity and physical health function related to quality of life was seen. By 12 months of therapy remission by DAS and MDA was reached 61.4%/65.9% of pts accordingly. By 12 months of therapy ACR20/50/70 was seen in 88%/77%/59% of pts. In pts with BSA≥3% (n=16) at baseline psoriasis improvements by PASI75 was seen in 88% of pts. In 55% of active EPsA pts MTX (s/c) mono-therapy was an effective treatment. CONCLUSION: One-year treatment according to T2T strategy significantly improves all PsA clinical domains - arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis, skin psoriasis and quality of life despite of type of treatment. It seems that T2T is a useful strategy in EPsA but additional research concerning its implementation in real practice are needed.

The GOLMePsA study protocol: an investigator-initiated, double-blind, parallel-group, randomised, controlled trial of GOLimumab and methotrexate versus methotrexate in early diagnosed psoriatic arthritis using clinical and whole body MRI outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis which impacts significantly on the quality of life and work capacity of affected individuals. Recent evidence has shown that early control of inflammation in PsA leads to improved long-term outcomes. It is postulated that prompt intervention after diagnosis using a remission-induction treatment strategy will lead to improved outcomes and optimal disease control of PsA. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical efficacy of a treatment strategy in newly diagnosed, treatment naïve PsA subjects, using the combination of golimumab (GOL), methotrexate (MTX) and steroids versus standard care (MTX monotherapy plus steroids). METHODS/DESIGN: GOLMePsA is an investigator initiated, phase IIIb, single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-armed, parallel-group, imaging-supplemented study. Eighty-eight PsA patients, diagnosed within 24 months prior to screening and treatment naïve, will be randomised at baseline to receive: (arm 1) the combination of intramuscular/intra-articular prednisolone, MTX and GOL or (arm 2) the combination of intramuscular/intra-articular prednisolone, MTX and placebo for 24 weeks (interventional period). Primary outcome measure is clinical improvement (at least 1 unit difference) in the Psoriatic ArthritiS Disease Activity Score (PASDAS) composite index. Reflecting a "step down" therapeutic approach, all participants successfully completing the interventional period will be followed up for a further 28 weeks. During this observational period, stable maintenance MTX monotherapy will continue for both arms, unless in case of intolerance or PsA relapse. In the latter case, additional treatment will be provided. Overall, the GOLMePsA study length is planned to be 52 weeks. DISCUSSION: The hypothesis underlining this study is that very early treatment with first-line GOL reduces disease activity in PsA, in comparison to conventional therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2013-004122-28 . 24/09/2013.

[Psoriatic arthritis : Current therapeutic standards]. / Psoriasisarthritis : Aktuelle therapeutische Standards.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous immune-mediated disease that usually involves the skin and joints but can also affect the entheses, spine and other extra-articular structures. Furthermore, it can be coupled with associated comorbidities. The selection of a patient-oriented and effective therapy is based on the extent of various manifestations of the disease as well as further influencing factors. Various recommendations for selection and control are available for deciding on a suitable treatment. The recommendations of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) are most frequently used and are internationally acknowledged. Both recommendations were updated in 2016. German treatment recommendations are currently lacking. In analogy to the treat-to-target strategy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, minimal disease activity should at least be achieved with the therapeutic intervention used if remission as the therapeutic target cannot be reached. New treatment options, which target different molecules, provide possibilities for a more differentiated therapy for improvement in the treatment of PsA patients.

Lengthening the time intervals between doses of biological agents in psoriatic arthritis patients: A single-center retrospective study.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha therapy has changed the course of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but clinical experience about lengthening of time intervals between drug administrations is still limited. The aims of the study were to evaluate: (1) the long-term efficacy (over a 4-year period) of etanercept/adalimumab in a subset of PsA patients who did not require switches; and (2) the progressive lengthening of time intervals between treatments in patients who achieved minimal disease activity (MDA). PsA outpatients attending the Rheumatology Clinic-University of Padova who took a single anti-TNF agent (etanercept/adalimumab) for a 4-year period were studied. Therapy efficacy was assessed using clinical, biochemical, and disease activity (DA) indexes. The intervals between treatments were empirically and progressively lengthened after MDA was reached and maintained. One hundred and forty-one patients (mean age, 51.22 ± 12.34 years; mean disease duration, 12.1 ± 8.42 years) treated with etanercept/adalimumab (47.5% and 52.5%, respectively) were studied. DA indexes showed a marked, persistent improvement in all the patients throughout 4 years. The interval between injections could be extended in 46.1% of the patients (35% for adalimumab, 58% for etanercept) without provoking relapses. The mean therapy interval at the end of the study period was 3.12 weeks for adalimumab 40 mg (with respect to 2 weeks) and 2.75 weeks for etanercept 25 mg (with respect to 0.5 weeks). The new therapy timetable also led to cost savings. In conclusion, lengthening the time intervals between injections of anti-TNF agents in PsA patients who reach MDA is safe, effective, cost-effective, and facilitates patient compliance.

The impact of concomitant diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis on the achievement of minimal disease activity in subjects with psoriatic arthritis.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is characterized by ossification of different entheses. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a seronegative spondyloarthritis associated with psoriasis. Given the possible overlap of the two diseases, we assessed whether DISH presence may affect PsA clinical outcomes. Also, predictors of DISH presence in the cohort were investigated. Consecutive PsA patients from two Italian Rheumatology Research Units were enrolled. Subjects were splitted into two groups, according to the current treatment (TNF-α blockers or traditional DMARDs). All patients underwent a rheumatologic examination, blood sample collections and spine radiographs. Information about traditional vascular risk factors was recorded. In each patient, the presence of minimal disease activity was evaluated and the presence of DISH was established according to the Resnick and Niwayama criteria. Among the 80 enrolled subjects (57.5 % men, mean age 56.5 ± 11.1 years), the overall prevalence of DISH was 30.0 %. Patients with DISH were older, with higher BMI and waist circumference. DISH subjects showed worsen BASMI, HAQ and ESR. In a multivariate regression model, BASMI was a significant predictor of DISH presence (OR 3.027, 95 % CI 1.449-6.325, p = 0.003). The prevalence of MDA was lower in DISH patients than in no-DISH (16.7 vs 41.1 %, p = 0.041), and the presence of DISH was a predictor of not achieving MDA (OR 3.485, 95 % CI 1.051-11.550, p = 0.041). PsA subjects with DISH showed worsen indices of spine mobility and articular function and lower prevalence of minimal disease activity than no-DISH patients.

Toward Treating to Target in Psoriatic Arthritis.

The concept "treat to target" in rheumatology was first developed for rheumatoid arthritis. A similar attempt to develop such an approach for spondyloarthritis was unsuccessful because the assessment tools and target of therapy had not been developed. In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), composite indices to assess disease activity, disease state, and responsiveness have been developed and can be used as targets. There are a number of definitions for remission, but none are widely accepted. However, a state of minimal disease activity has been defined. There is evidence now that the treat-to-target approach is feasible, using the minimal disease activity state as a target and devising a tight control approach, which is superior to standard of care. Further work will determine the best target and the best approach to reach it.

Self-reported adherence to a home-based exercise program among patients affected by psoriatic arthritis with minimal disease activity.

More than half of all patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) exhibit progressive erosive arthritis, associated with severe functional impairment and psychosocial disability. Biologics have been suggested to be more effective in inducing minimal disease activity" (MDA) than disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Behavioral patient education appears to be more effective in encouraging patients to increase their physical activity (PA) levels. The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefits of home-based exercises program on disease activity and quality of life in MDA-PsA patients treated with an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and DMARD therapy. We observed a self-reported adherence rate to home-based exercise of 76.6% and data showed the impact of the exercise program on self-reported health and mental assessment. A positive relationship between patient and therapist is crucial, influencing the quality of the performance, the emotional support, and increasing motivation in PsA patients.

Continuous improvement through differential trajectories of individual minimal disease activity criteria with guselkumab in active psoriatic arthritis: post hoc analysis of a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: To explore the trajectory of, and factors contributing to, achievement of individual criteria of minimal disease activity (MDA) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with guselkumab. METHODS: The Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled DISCOVER-2 study enrolled adults (N = 739) with active PsA despite standard therapies who were biologic/Janus kinase inhibitor-naive. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to guselkumab 100 mg every 4 weeks; guselkumab 100 mg at week 0, week 4, then every 8 weeks; or placebo. In this post hoc analysis, patients randomized to guselkumab were included and pooled (N = 493). Longitudinal trajectories of achieving each MDA criterion through week 100 were derived using non-responder imputation. Time to achieve each criterion was estimated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariate regression for time to achieve each criterion (Cox regression) and achievement at week 100 (logistic regression) was used to identify contributing factors. RESULTS: Continuous improvement across all MDA domains was shown over time. ~70% of patients achieved near remission in swollen joint count (SJC), Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and enthesitis through week 100. Median times to achieve individual criteria differed significantly (p < 0.0001), with SJC ≤ 1 (20 weeks), PASI ≤ 1 (16 weeks), and ≤ 1 tender entheses (16 weeks) being faster than patient-reported criteria (pain ≤ 15 mm, patient global assessment of arthritis and psoriasis ≤ 20 mm, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index ≤ 0.5) and tender joint count ≤ 1. Higher baseline domain scores, older age, worse fatigue, and increased body mass index were significant predictors of longer time to achieve minimal levels of disease activity assessed via patient-reported criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial proportions of guselkumab-treated patients achieved individual MDA criteria, each showing continuous improvement through week 100, although with distinct trajectories. Median times to achieve physician-assessed MDA criteria were significantly faster compared with patient-driven criteria. Identification of modifiable factors affecting the time to achieve patient-reported criteria has the potential to optimize the achievement and sustainability of MDA in the clinic via a multidisciplinary approach to managing PsA, involving both medical and lifestyle interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03158285. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE: May 16, 2017.

Construct validity, reliability, and threshold value for treatment goals of the Thai version of the 12-item Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease Questionnaire for patients with psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the construct validity, reliability, and treatment goal threshold of a Thai-language version of the 12-item Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease (Thai-PsAID) questionnaire in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved administering the proposed Thai-PsAID to 117 Thai patients with PsA. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's α test and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was assessed using Spearman correlation with clinical disease activity index for psoriatic arthritis (cDAPSA), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), EQ-5D index, and the patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS). The optimal cutoff score of the Thai-PsAID for minimal disease activity (MDA) was determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 49.5 years, 61 (52.1%) were female, and the median disease duration was 5 years. The median Thai-PsAID score was 2.1, with a Cronbach's α coefficient of .95 and an ICC of 0.77. The mean time to complete the Thai-PsAID was 2.1 min, with no missing data. The Thai-PsAID score demonstrated a moderate correlation with the cDAPSA, HAQ, and EQ-5D with indices (Spearman's rho of .64, .54, and -.55, respectively). The cutoff of 2.7 has 81%-84% sensitivity and 69%-85% specificity for classifying patients with MDA, satisfied PASS, and indicating no need to escalate medication. CONCLUSIONS: The Thai-PsAID is a valid, reliable, and feasible tool for measuring PsA prognosis. A cutoff of 2.7 accurately discriminates MDA and PASS and indicates no need for medication escalation. The Thai-PsAID may be used as a standalone measure.