title: Epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis.
abstract: Research into psoriatic arthritis continues to be hampered by the lack of a validated case-definition. There may be progress toward consensus with a new data-derived diagnostic classification criteria set recently reported and a current international project aiming to firmly validate criteria. Statistical techniques such as latent class analysis may permit a comparison of the accuracy of competing criteria sets, in the absence of a gold standard for diagnosis. Genetic studies are inconclusive, but ethnic differences in disease expression suggest a definite genetic role. Recent community-based research suggests an incidence rate of about 6/100,000 per annum, and a prevalence of about 1/1000. Clinic-based disease may be associated with increased mortality, whereas community based disease is not. The development of internationally accepted criteria for the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis will be a major impetus towards research into this complex disease.
authors.affiliation: Wellington Regional Rheumatology Unit and Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. wtaylor@wnmeds.ac.nz
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis; D003153:Community Health Services; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence