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1.
J Rheumatol ; 51(5): 479-487, 2024 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38359937

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Although patient outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have improved with the advent of advanced therapies, there remains a high unmet need to treat residual disease activity. The objective of the current study was to quantify residual disease activity and burden of disease in Canadian patients with PsA. METHODS: This was a multiregion, observational, retrospective analysis of patient data extracted from the Rhumadata and the International Psoriasis and Arthritis Research Team (IPART) registries, analyzing deidentified data from patients who had initiated advanced therapy for the treatment of PsA between January 2010 and December 2019. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients failing to achieve minimal disease activity (MDA) within 6 months; secondary endpoints included clinical and patient-reported burden of disease. Descriptive statistics included summaries by region, treatment class, and number of prior advanced therapies. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred ninety-six patients were included. The proportions of patients who failed to achieve MDA within 6 months of an advanced therapy were 64.8% in Ontario, 68.3% in Western Canada, 74.8% in Quebec, and 75% in the Atlantic/East region. Failure to achieve MDA was higher among patients receiving an IL-17i compared with a TNFi in all regions except the Atlantic/East. Between 73.2% and 78.6% of patients reported pain at 6 months, and continuing functional impairment varied from 24% in the West to 83.3% in the Atlantic/East. CONCLUSION: There is substantial burden and unmet need for improved therapies for Canadians with PsA. There is a wide regional variation in outcomes that requires further assessment.


Subject(s)
Antirheumatic Agents , Arthritis, Psoriatic , Registries , Severity of Illness Index , Humans , Arthritis, Psoriatic/drug therapy , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Canada , Retrospective Studies , Adult , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Aged , Treatment Outcome , Cost of Illness
2.
Health Commun ; 37(11): 1378-1388, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33650448

ABSTRACT

This study explores female indoor tanners' perceptions of the current, text-only Canadian health warning label (HWL) for tanning equipment, as well as pictorial, evidence-based alternative HWLs. We created 10 test HWLs that depicted skin health effects, eye damage, premature aging, and death. Young women who had tanned indoors in the past year discussed these and the current federal HWL in focus groups. Although the current Canadian HWL was seen as informative, several participants did not recognize it, and many said that they would not read it due to the small text, wordiness, and lack of an image. Graphic images, particularly those depicting permanent conditions affecting the face, eyes, or appearance, were seen as effective. Common criticisms of the images were lack of believability, relatability, and comprehensibility. Although concise text was important for encouraging reading, many participants expressed a desire for more information in the test HWLs. Premature aging was of great concern to many participants, but the images selected for these HWLs were not perceived as effective. Although the text was seen as effective in the death HWLs, most participants dismissed the images. This research has implications for IT HWLs in Canada and globally. These results suggest that graphic images may be impactful in IT HWLs. Images must be supplemented with informative text that increases believability, relatability, and comprehensibility. These modifications would create HWLs that are engaging, informative, and that form part of a wider effort to spread awareness about the harmful effects of IT.


Subject(s)
Aging, Premature , Smoking Cessation , Tobacco Products , Canada , Female , Humans , Product Labeling/methods , Smoking Cessation/methods
3.
J Cutan Med Surg ; 26(3): 237-242, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34841919

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting multiple organ systems and resulting in reduced quality of life for many patients. A screening tool would be useful, particularly in underserviced or research settings with limited access to dermatologists. The Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Screen, version 2 (ToPAS 2) is a validated screening tool for psoriatic arthritis containing questions specific for psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of skin-specific questions from ToPAS 2 for the diagnosis of psoriasis. METHODS: Participants aged >18 were recruited from Dermatology and Family Medicine clinics and completed the ToPAS 2 questionnaire prior to being examined by a dermatologist for psoriasis. Two scoring indexes were derived from the ToPAS 2 skin-related questions using backward selection regression models. Statistical analysis was performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to measure their performances. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty eight participants were recruited. 32 (12%) were diagnosed with psoriasis by dermatologist assessment. Index 1 includes all 5 skin-related questions from ToPAS 2, while Index 2 includes three of the five questions. Both indexes demonstrate high specificity (82% to 92%), sensitivity (69% to 84%), and excellent negative predictive value (NPV) (>95%) for a diagnosis of psoriasis. The overall discriminatory power of these models is 0.823 (Index 1) and 0.875 (Index 2). CONCLUSIONS: Skin-related questions from ToPAS 2 have discriminatory value in detecting psoriasis, specifically questions relating to a family history, a prior physician diagnosis of psoriasis or a rash consistent with images of plaque psoriasis. This study is a valuable step in developing a screening tool for psoriasis.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Psoriatic , Psoriasis , Arthritis, Psoriatic/diagnosis , Humans , Mass Screening/methods , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires
4.
Breast Cancer Res ; 23(1): 72, 2021 07 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34253233

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Re-excision due to positive margins following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) negatively affects patient outcomes and healthcare costs. The inability to visualize margin involvement is a significant challenge in BCS. 5-Aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (5-ALA HCl), a non-fluorescent oral prodrug, causes intracellular accumulation of fluorescent porphyrins in cancer cells. This single-center Phase II randomized controlled trial evaluated the safety, feasibility, and diagnostic accuracy of a prototype handheld fluorescence imaging device plus 5-ALA for intraoperative visualization of invasive breast carcinomas during BCS. METHODS: Fifty-four patients were enrolled and randomized to receive no 5-ALA or oral 5-ALA HCl (15 or 30 mg/kg). Forty-five patients (n = 15/group) were included in the analysis. Fluorescence imaging of the excised surgical specimen was performed, and biopsies were collected from within and outside the clinically demarcated tumor border of the gross specimen for blinded histopathology. RESULTS: In the absence of 5-ALA, tissue autofluorescence imaging lacked tumor-specific fluorescent contrast. Both 5-ALA doses caused bright red tumor fluorescence, with improved visualization of tumor contrasted against normal tissue autofluorescence. In the 15 mg/kg 5-ALA group, the positive predictive value (PPV) for detecting breast cancer inside and outside the grossly demarcated tumor border was 100.0% and 55.6%, respectively. In the 30 mg/kg 5-ALA group, the PPV was 100.0% and 50.0% inside and outside the demarcated tumor border, respectively. No adverse events were observed, and clinical feasibility of this imaging device-5-ALA combination approach was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first known clinical report of visualization of 5-ALA-induced fluorescence in invasive breast carcinoma using a real-time handheld intraoperative fluorescence imaging device. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01837225 . Registered 23 April 2013.


Subject(s)
Aminolevulinic Acid/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Optical Imaging/methods , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biopsy , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Contrast Media/therapeutic use , Female , Fluorescence , Humans , Intraoperative Care , Margins of Excision , Mastectomy, Segmental , Middle Aged , Optical Imaging/instrumentation , Predictive Value of Tests , Surgery, Computer-Assisted
5.
J Am Acad Dermatol ; 84(5): 1302-1309, 2021 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33096129

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is limited information about mortality rates among patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in North America and their change over the past 2 decades. OBJECTIVE: To compare all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in patients with psoriasis to the general population in Ontario, Canada, from 1996 to 2016. METHODS: We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study of adult residents using administrative health data. All-cause and cause-specific standardized mortality rates, standardized mortality ratios, and excess mortality rates were calculated. RESULTS: 176,858 (2,524 deaths) patients with psoriasis and 15,430 (221 deaths) patients with PsA were identified in 2016. Patients with psoriasis and PsA had standardized excess mortality rates of 1.44 and 2.43 per 1000 population, respectively. Standardized mortality rates decreased by approximately 30% over the study period in both disease groups but remained significantly elevated compared to the general population. The leading causes of death in psoriasis and PsA patients were cancer, circulatory disease, and respiratory conditions. LIMITATIONS: We were unable to classify patients according to disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvements in psoriasis treatment, the relative excess mortality, which may be related to risk factors for psoriatic disease, remained unchanged, with an average of approximately 1 to 2 extra deaths per 1,000 patients in 2016.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Psoriatic/mortality , Cause of Death/trends , Psoriasis/mortality , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arthritis, Psoriatic/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Ontario/epidemiology , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Young Adult
6.
J Cutan Med Surg ; 25(4): 424-436, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33566702

ABSTRACT

College and university students are a group known for excessive sun exposure and indoor tanning. Health education campaigns for avoidance of ultraviolet (UV) radiation have been relatively unsuccessful in this population. This systematic review examines interventions aimed at post-secondary school young adults on college and university campuses for skin cancer awareness, photoprotection, and change in UV-exposure-related behavior. Fifty-nine studies were identified for inclusion according to predetermined criteria. Study heterogeneity was high; methods of intervention were individual or group-based, and were mostly visually delivered and/or passive learning. Most interventions occurred at a single time point. Intervention success was assessed by evaluating subject behavior, intention, attitudes, knowledge, and emotion. Multicomponent interventions, generally consisting of UV photography and a passively delivered educational component, may be more effective than a single component alone. Overall, study quality was poor. Sample size of the majority of studies was <150 subjects. Most studies used self-report of behavior and had a short follow-up time. Generalizability of findings may be impacted as women, particularly white/Caucasian women, were overrepresented in the studies identified by this systematic review. For this specific target population, themes arising from the review include the importance of self-relevance and message framing. Self-affirmation was identified as a potential challenge in designing interventions for this target group, which can lead to defensiveness and a negative reaction to the health message. The findings of this systematic review may inform future research in this field, as well as guide planning of effective interventions in this target population.


Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control , Sunburn/prevention & control , Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Male , Schools , Young Adult
7.
J Cutan Med Surg ; 24(3): 297-303, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32293201

ABSTRACT

As part of an in-depth review of the specialty for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), the Dermatology Working Group (DWG) was tasked with leading a comprehensive and objective analysis of the current state of Dermatology practice and training patterns in Canada. Preliminary research for the report was conducted in 3 areas: a jurisdictional analysis, a literature review, and a landscape overview. The results of this research were published in the spring 2019 edition of the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. Various factors impacting the discipline were explored, including trends in the workforce, population needs, accessibility, and wait times, as well as issues in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. The DWG, supported by the RCPSC's Office of Specialty Education, used information gained from the reviews, a national survey, and stakeholder perspectives to develop recommendations that address the current challenges and build upon opportunities for advancement in the specialty.


Subject(s)
Dermatology/education , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Workforce/statistics & numerical data , Canada , Education, Medical , Humans
8.
J Community Health ; 44(4): 675-683, 2019 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30976965

ABSTRACT

Evidence of the dangers of indoor tanning and its popularity, including among youth, led the Government of Ontario to pass the Skin Cancer Prevention Act (Tanning Beds) (SCPA) in 2014. This legislation includes prohibiting the sale of indoor tanning services to individuals under 18, requiring warning signs be posted, and other safety regulations. We collected information from Ontario Public Health Units to conduct a process evaluation of the SCPA to: understand legislation implementation; assess available evidence about compliance, inspection, and enforcement; and, note barriers and facilitators related to inspection and enforcement. Data was collected March-April 2018. All 36 Ontario Public Health Units were invited to participate in an online questionnaire about the SCPA. Questions covered complaints, inspection, and enforcement, and used both close- and open-ended questions. Participants from 20 Public Health Units responded to the questionnaire; a response rate of 56%. These agencies reported 485 facilities offer indoor tanning. Since 2014, there have been 242 infractions by tanning facility owner/operators related to the SCPA, with most being uncovered during non-mandatory routine inspections (n = 234, 97%), rather than mandatory complaint-based inspections (n = 8, 3%). Most infractions were related to warning signs (n = 201, 83%). No charges were issued for any infractions. Instead, providing education (n = 90, 62%) and issuing warnings (n = 33, 23%) were the most common enforcement strategies. SCPA amendments are needed, including mandatory, routinely scheduled inspections. In addition to providing education, fines may improve compliance. More resources are required for inspection and enforcement of the SCPA.


Subject(s)
Public Health , Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control , Sunbathing , Humans , Ontario , Process Assessment, Health Care , Sunbathing/legislation & jurisprudence , Sunbathing/standards , Sunbathing/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires
9.
J Cutan Med Surg ; 23(3): 307-318, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30999785

ABSTRACT

The specialty of dermatology is constantly changing to meet the medical needs of our society. The discipline is in flux because of a variety of factors such as growing population needs, technological advancements, fiscal restraint, and demographic changes. As part of an in-depth review of the specialty, the Dermatology Working Group (DWG) for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada sought to determine whether the current training configuration is suitably preparing graduates to meet the societal health needs of dermatology patients. In this first of a 2-part series, the authors conducted comprehensive literature and historical reviews and a jurisdictional analysis to understand the current state of dermatology practice in Canada. Herein, they explore trends in the dermatology workforce, population needs, accessibility, and wait times, as well as issues in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. In a subsequent publication, the DWG will utilize information gained from this historical analysis and jurisdictional review, stakeholder perspectives, and a national survey to shape the future of dermatology training in Canada.


Subject(s)
Dermatology/education , Dermatology/history , Education, Medical/history , Canada , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/history , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends
10.
Rheumatol Int ; 38(2): 219-227, 2018 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29185085

ABSTRACT

Psoriasis and PsA are associated with comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome and depression. The purpose of this study was to examine if patients recognize that they are being monitored for comorbidities associated with their condition, and to determine which physicians are managing these comorbidities. Patients with psoriasis without arthritis (PsC) and patients with PsA were recruited from the University of Toronto Psoriasis Cohort and Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic, respectively. A comorbidity questionnaire was developed through a literature review and patients completed the questionnaire at clinic visits or over the telephone. PsA patient responses were compared with information recorded by physicians at clinic visits. A total of 268 patients (103 PsC and 164 PsA) were included. Patients indicated having their blood pressure (96.3%), weight (94.4%), blood sugar (75%) and cholesterol (79.5%) levels checked, with PsA patients indicating being checked more frequently than PsC patients. PsA patients were most uncertain about whether their blood sugar and cholesterol levels were checked by physicians. The highest correlation between patient responses and physician records occurred for medications for diabetes, depression and hypercholesterolemia. Patients indicated their family physician were most responsible in monitoring the comorbidities. Overall, patients documented being moderately well screened for most comorbidities and were most unsure about having their blood sugar and cholesterol levels monitored. Patient education and records should be improved at clinic visits, as there are discrepancies between patient responses and physician records regarding the presence and treatment of comorbidities.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Psoriatic/diagnosis , Arthritis, Psoriatic/therapy , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Psoriasis/therapy , Adult , Arthritis, Psoriatic/epidemiology , Attitude of Health Personnel , Comorbidity , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diabetes Mellitus/diagnosis , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Diabetes Mellitus/therapy , Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Dyslipidemias/diagnosis , Dyslipidemias/epidemiology , Dyslipidemias/therapy , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , Hypertension/epidemiology , Hypertension/therapy , Male , Medical Records , Middle Aged , Ontario/epidemiology , Patient Education as Topic , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , Psoriasis/epidemiology , Specialization , Surveys and Questionnaires
11.
Int Wound J ; 14(5): 833-841, 2017 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28244218

ABSTRACT

Clinical wound assessment involves microbiological swabbing of wounds to identify and quantify bacterial species, and to determine microbial susceptibility to antibiotics. The Levine swabbing technique may be suboptimal because it samples only the wound bed, missing other diagnostically relevant areas of the wound, which may contain clinically significant bacteria. Thus, there is a clinical need to improve the reliability of microbiological wound sampling. To address this, a handheld portable autofluorescence (AF) imaging device that detects bacteria in real time, without contrast agents, was developed. Here, we report the results of a clinical study evaluating the use of real-time AF imaging to visualise bacteria in and around the wound bed and to guide swabbing during the clinical assessment of diabetic foot ulcers, compared with the Levine technique. We investigated 33 diabetic foot ulcers (n = 31 patients) and found that AF imaging more accurately identified the presence of moderate and/or heavy bacterial load compared with the Levine technique (accuracy 78% versus 52%, P = 0·048; adjusted diagnostic odds ratio 7·67, P < 0·00022 versus 3·07, P = 0·066) and maximised the effectiveness of bacterial load sampling, with no significant impact on clinical workflow. AF imaging may help clinicians better identify the wound areas with clinically significant bacteria, and maximise sampling of treatment-relevant pathogens.


Subject(s)
Bacteria/isolation & purification , Bacterial Load/instrumentation , Diabetic Foot/microbiology , Optical Imaging , Specimen Handling/methods , Wound Infection/diagnosis , Wound Infection/microbiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results , Young Adult
12.
J Cutan Med Surg ; 20(4): 337-9, 2016 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26896181

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: While clinical symptoms of strongyloidiasis are often nonspecific, larva currens (with erythematous, serpiginous, and pruritic papules and plaques) should prompt investigation including stool microscopy, serology, and skin biopsy of the lesion. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment with ivermectin is necessary, especially in the immunocompromised patient who is at increased risk for hyperinfection syndrome and disseminated disease. CONCLUSION: We present a 61-year-old immunocompromised man with presentation of larva currens of cutaneous strongyloides infection without symptoms of hyperinfection or disseminated disease.


Subject(s)
Immunocompromised Host , Skin Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis , Strongyloidiasis/diagnosis , Animals , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/drug therapy , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/immunology , Skin Diseases, Parasitic/etiology , Skin Diseases, Parasitic/therapy , Strongyloidiasis/etiology , Strongyloidiasis/therapy
14.
Surg Oncol ; 54: 102077, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38657486

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Appropriate surveillance of patients with melanoma treated with curative intent is vital to improve patient outcomes. A systematic review was conducted to capture locoregional recurrence and metastatic disease, and to evaluate the effectiveness of various surveillance strategies. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Database were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative studies reporting at least one patient-related outcome were included. Exclusion criteria included: published in non-English or recruited >20 % or an uncertain percentage of non-target patients without conducting a subgroup analysis for the target patients. This review was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42021246482). RESULTS: Among 17,978 publications from the literature search, one RCT and five non-randomized comparative studies were included and comprised 4016 patients. The aggregate evidence certainty was low for the RCT and very low for the comparative studies, as assessed by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. For patients with stage IA-IIC melanoma, a reduced follow-up schedule with clinical follow-up strategies alone may be safe and cost-effective. For stage IIC-IIIC patients, at least two serial PET/CT or whole-body CT and brain MRI imaging within a median follow-up of 31.2 months may detect 50 % of recurrences that lead to additional management, such as surgery. PET/CT may have a higher positive predictive value and lower false positive rate compared with CT alone in detecting recurrence in stage I-III patients. CONCLUSION: Surveillance protocols should be based on individual risk of recurrence and established best practices when formulating follow-up strategies, as suggested by the studies reviewed. Future high-quality studies are needed to clarify the frequency of imaging follow-up strategies, especially in patients with high-risk stage II melanoma.


Subject(s)
Melanoma , Humans , Melanoma/diagnostic imaging , Melanoma/pathology , Melanoma/surgery , Melanoma/therapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Neoplasm Staging , Prognosis , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/surgery , Treatment Outcome
15.
Ann Rheum Dis ; 72(5): 715-20, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22736087

ABSTRACT

AIM: To compare the extent of atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patients with cutaneous psoriasis without arthritis (PsC). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study the authors compared patients with PsA with PsC patients. Psoriasis patients underwent a rheumatological assessment to exclude inflammatory arthritis. Ultrasonographic measurements of carotid total plaque area (TPA) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were performed. t Test was used to compare the imaging findings between the two groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between disease status and imaging findings after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Overall, 125 PsA and 114 PsC patients were compared. There were no significant differences in age, gender or cardiovascular risk factors between the two groups. Patients with PsA exhibited greater TPA than did PsC patients (TPA (square root of area in mm(2)) 3.33±3.34 vs 2.43±2.72, p=0.03). This difference remained statistically significant in the multivariate regression analysis after adjusting for potential confounders (p=0.03). The difference in cIMT between the groups did not achieve statistical significance (p=0.09). The following disease-related variables were associated with increase in TPA in multivariate regression analysis among PsA patients: duration of PsA (p=0.04), highest Psoriasis Area and Severity Index recorded in the first 3 years of follow-up (p=0.02) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: PsA patients suffer from more severe subclinical atherosclerosis compared with patients with PsC. This difference is independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and correlates with PsA disease duration, more severe skin disease and increased inflammatory markers.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Psoriatic/epidemiology , Carotid Stenosis/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Stenosis/epidemiology , Psoriasis/epidemiology , Severity of Illness Index , Aged , Biomarkers , Carotid Artery Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Artery Diseases/epidemiology , Carotid Intima-Media Thickness , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Prevalence , Risk Factors
16.
Ann Rheum Dis ; 72(12): 1956-61, 2013 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23243196

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the levels of related biomarkers in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis without arthritis (PsC). METHODS: This study compared patients with PsA and patients with PsC. The presence of MetS was determined. Serum levels of insulin, adiponectin and leptin were measured. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. HOMA-IR, adiponectin and leptin were log-transformed. Continuous variables were compared using the t test and the χ(2) test was used for discrete variables. Multivariate regression models were used to investigate the association of MetS and adiponectin with PsA compared to PsC after adjusting for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: 203 PsA and 155 PsC patients were analysed. The prevalence of MetS was higher in PsA patients compared to those with PsC. However, this did not reach statistical significance (36.5% vs 27.1%, p=0.056). The levels of adipokines were significantly higher in PsA compared to PsC: adiponectin (8.8±5.2 vs 7.4±4.5 log (µg/ml), p=0.009) and leptin in women (3.1±0.8 vs 2.8±0.8, log (ng/ml), p=0.04). HOMA-IR was also higher in PsA (0.97±0.63 vs 0.68±0.81, p<0.001). No difference was observed in leptin levels in men. In multivariate regression analysis, PsA (p=0.04) and the psoriasis area and severity index score (p=0.02) were associated with MetS. Adiponectin was significantly associated with PsA (p=0.005), the use of anti-tumour necrosis factor α therapy (p=0.03) and active joint count (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MetS and related adipokines correlated with an increased burden of skin and joint inflammation.


Subject(s)
Adipokines/blood , Metabolic Syndrome/etiology , Psoriasis/complications , Adult , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Arthritis, Psoriatic/blood , Arthritis, Psoriatic/complications , Arthritis, Psoriatic/drug therapy , Biomarkers/blood , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Insulin/blood , Insulin Resistance/physiology , Leptin/blood , Male , Metabolic Syndrome/blood , Middle Aged , Psoriasis/blood , Psoriasis/drug therapy , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index
17.
J Rheumatol ; 50(Suppl 2): 25-26, 2023 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37419623

ABSTRACT

People with psoriasis (PsO) are at increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Screening patients with PsO for PsA may be helpful in diagnosing PsA early. Dermatologists play a role in assessing their patients with PsO for musculoskeletal symptoms and referring them to a rheumatologist for diagnosis and treatment.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Psoriatic , Psoriasis , Humans , Arthritis, Psoriatic/complications , Arthritis, Psoriatic/diagnosis , Arthritis, Psoriatic/therapy , Psoriasis/diagnosis
18.
Arch Dermatol Res ; 315(4): 735-749, 2023 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36443500

ABSTRACT

Photoprotection is a critical health prevention strategy to reduce the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and visible light (VL). Methods of photoprotection are reviewed in this paper, with an emphasis on sunscreen. The most appropriate sunscreen formulation for personal use depends on several factors. Active sunscreen ingredients vary in their protective effect over the UVR and VL spectrum. There are dermatologic diseases that cause photosensitivity or that are aggravated by a particular action spectrum. In these situations, sunscreen suggestions can address the specific concern. Sunscreen does not represent a single entity. Appropriate personalized sunscreen selection is critical to improve compliance and clinical outcomes. Health care providers can facilitate informed product selection with awareness of evolving sunscreen formulations and counseling patients on appropriate use. This review aims to summarize different forms of photoprotection, discuss absorption of sunscreen ingredients, possible adverse effects, and disease-specific preferences for chemical, physical or oral agents that may decrease UVR and VL harmful effects.


Subject(s)
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Sunscreening Agents , Humans , Sunscreening Agents/adverse effects , Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects , Light , Pharmaceutical Vehicles
19.
Arthritis Rheumatol ; 2023 Aug 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37555242

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: A simple, scalable tool that identifies psoriasis patients at high risk for developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA) could improve early diagnosis. We aimed to develop a risk prediction model for the development of PsA and to assess its performance among patients with psoriasis. METHODS: We analyzed data from a prospective cohort of psoriasis patients without PsA at enrollment. Participants were assessed annually by a rheumatologist for the development of PsA. Information about their demographics, psoriasis characteristics, comorbidities, medications, and musculoskeletal symptoms was used to develop prediction models for PsA. Penalized binary regression models were used for variable selection while adjusting for psoriasis duration. Risks of developing PsA over 1- and 5-year time periods were estimated. Model performance was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) and calibration plots. RESULTS: Among 635 psoriasis patients, 51 and 71 developed PsA during the 1-year and 5-year follow-up periods, respectively. The risk of developing PsA within 1 year was associated with younger age, male sex, family history of psoriasis, back stiffness, nail pitting, joint stiffness, use of biologic medications, patient global health, and pain severity (AUC 72.3). The risk of developing PsA within 5 years was associated with morning stiffness, psoriatic nail lesion, psoriasis severity, fatigue, pain, and use of systemic nonbiologic medication or phototherapy (AUC 74.9). Calibration plots showed reasonable agreement between predicted and observed probabilities. CONCLUSIONS: The development of PsA within clinically meaningful time frames can be predicted with reasonable accuracy for psoriasis patients using readily available clinical variables.

20.
J Rheumatol ; 50(11): 1439-1445, 2023 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37582554

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the experiences of dermatologists and rheumatologists in the early recognition of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to identify potential improvements to the current shared-care model. METHODS: A 24-question survey addressing referral strategies was constructed by the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) project steering committee and sent to all members (n = 927). Questions addressed the use of screening tools, frequency of PsA in patients with psoriasis, therapeutic decision making, and suggestions for earlier PsA recognition and current unmet needs. RESULTS: There were 149 respondents (16.1% response rate), which included 113 rheumatologists from 37 countries and 26 dermatologists from 16 countries. Of the dermatologists, 81% use PsA-specific screening instruments. Conversely, rheumatologists reported that only 26.8% of patients referred to them from all sources had been assessed with screening tools. Although dermatologists reported that a mean of 67% of suspected PsA cases were confirmed, rheumatologists reported a mean of 47.9% of confirmed cases. Both specialties reported similar views regarding optimization of the diagnostic process and indicated that the best approach involved combining patient-reported (ie, screening tools) and physician-confirmed findings. Moreover, both specialties identified the education of primary care physicians (PCPs) and dermatologists as the greatest priority to improve PsA screening. CONCLUSION: The survey indicated the current unmet needs in the early recognition of PsA. Important areas to address include improving the use of screening instruments, increasing the education of community-based dermatologists and PCPs, and using a combination of patient-reported and physician-confirmed findings in the screening approach.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Psoriatic , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis , Psoriasis , Humans , Arthritis, Psoriatic/diagnosis , Arthritis, Psoriatic/therapy , Severity of Illness Index , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Psoriasis/therapy , Rheumatologists , Surveys and Questionnaires
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