Pharmacists Urged to Signpost Psoriasis Patients to New Research Study Examining Links with Psoriatic Arthritis

Pharmacists are being urged to advise psoriasis patients of a new research study examining the association between the skin condition and psoriatic arthritis.

A research team at University College Dublin, in partnership with the University of Oxford, is aiming to recruit 2,000 people across Ireland, out of a total of 25,000 across Europe, to the study. Psoriasis affects at least 73,000 people here, with one-third of patients going on to develop psoriatic arthritis.

The research study aims to better determine which psoriasis patients may develop psoriatic arthritis in order to prevent it before it occurs. It will also inform wider research efforts to diagnose the condition earlier or predict disease progression, to develop new diagnostic tests, and to pioneer personalised therapies to avert permanent, disabling joint damage.

Anyone over 18 years who has been diagnosed with psoriasis, except those already diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, can take part in the study. Participants will be asked questions about their psoriasis and other medical conditions, any musculoskeletal symptoms arising, treatments they are receiving, and details of their lifestyle.

Taking place completely online, participants can take part from the comfort of their own homes by completing questionnaires every six months over a three-year period. Some participants may be sent a home blood sampling kit in order to provide a finger-prick blood sample to assist in developing a tool to identify those at higher risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.

The End for Psoriatic Arthritis?
Consultant Rheumatologist and study co-lead, Professor Oliver FitzGerald, comments:
“Unfortunately, right now, we don’t know which patients with psoriasis will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis and which will not. There is no diagnostic test or algorithm available to predict PsA. We know that it is important that it be recognised promptly as each day left untreated leads to poorer outcomes.

“By identifying biomarkers associated with psoriatic arthritis, our aim is to develop a blood test to identify it prior to the development of any symptoms. Ultimately, if we can develop ways of better identifying which patients will develop arthritis, we may be able to prevent it through risk factor modification and preventative therapies.”

The research is supported by the Innovative Medicines Initiative together with AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB.

Patients wishing to take part in the study can find out more information at www.hpos.study