Earlier detection of arthritis in psoriasis through new research More attention for common joint disorder in people with psoriasis

A large group of Dutch people suffer from psoriasis. One in four patients with psoriasis develops psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint damage in the patient. Dermatologists are not always sufficiently trained to recognize this. Medical researcher Tamara van Hal from the Sint Maartenskliniek, in collaboration with dermatologists from Radboud university medical center, has developed simple guidelines. Thanks to these guidelines, dermatologists can more accurately refer patients to a rheumatologist. On July 4, Tamara van Hal will defend her dissertation at Radboud University.

Guidelines for Dermatologists

Dermatologists treat patients with the skin condition psoriasis. It is important that dermatologists also look for signs indicating psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and skin. Tamara van Hal's research shows that people with psoriasis with the following characteristics are more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis:

• Patients who suffer from swollen fingers and toes;
• Patients with painful joints without a clear reason;
• Patients taking heavy medication for their psoriasis;
• Patients using injections and pills instead of ointments.

An accompanying questionnaire can help dermatologists select the right patients for referral. Tamara van Hal states: 'Under the right circumstances, it is possible to identify nearly all patients receiving dermatological treatment for their psoriasis, who also have concomitant psoriatic arthritis.'

Future Applications

This research shows that there are important clues that can help dermatologists recognize these joint complaints. 'A questionnaire alone is not enough; we need to continue working closely with rheumatologists to optimize the detection of psoriatic arthritis and further investigate whether there are biomarkers that can predict who will develop or already has psoriatic arthritis', says co-promoter Juul van den Reek.

Impact on Daily Life

Psoriatic arthritis impacts the patient's life significantly. Due to the disease, they are less able to perform their work. This is also evident from statistics: only half of this patient group has a paid job.

500,000 Psoriasis Patients in the Netherlands

The skin disease psoriasis affects 500,000 Dutch people. It is a disease characterized by inflammation of the skin and nails. Patients may experience red, thickened, and scaly patches on their skin. Psoriatic arthritis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the joints and the site where the tendon attaches to the bone.

About this Dissertation

Defense on July 4 at 10:30 AM. Dissertation: "A Rheumatologist Undercover – Research of Psoriatic Arthritis at the Dermatology Clinic" (available online after July 4). (Co-)Promoters: Prof. Dr. E.M.G.J. de Jong, Dr. M.H. Wenink, Dr. J.M.P.A. van den Reek, Dr. J.E. Vriezekolk. The defense can be followed via this livestream. This dissertation was made possible through a collaboration between Radboudumc and Sint Maartenskliniek, facilitated by a Junior Investigator Grant from the Radboudumc Academic Medical Network.

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