Psoriasis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Psoriasis, including details on treatment, prevention, medication, causes.

Psoriatic arthritis: epidemiology, clinical features, course, and outcome.

Gladman DD, Antoni C, Mease P, Clegg DO, Nash P

University of Toronto, Toronto Western Research Institute, Psoriatic Arthritis Program, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been defined as a unique inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. Its exact prevalence is unknown, but estimates vary from 0.3% to 1% of the population. The clinical features described initially are recognised by most experienced clinicians, although they are most distinct in early disease. Initially, PsA typically presents as an oligoarticular and mild disease. However, with time PsA becomes polyarticular, and it is a severe disease in at least 20% of patients. Patients with PsA who present with polyarticular disease are at risk for disease progression. In addition to progression of clinical and radiological damage, health related quality of life is reduced among patients with PsA. It important to note that patients included in recent drug trials resemble patients followed prospectively in a clinic.

Published 14 February 2005 in Ann Rheum Dis, 64: ii14-7.
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