Recent advances in the management of psoriatic arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
The incidence of psoriatic arthritis is currently estimated at 7 to 42% of the population with active psoriasis, considered to affect 2 to 3% of the general population. Unmanaged psoriatic arthritis may result in progressive radiologic erosion, severe physical limitations, and disability. Newer trials in psoriatic arthritis therapy demonstrate ongoing ability to control disease symptoms and signs and the progression of the disease significantly.


RESULTS
Recognition of the immunopathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis, as with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, prompts ongoing examination of the efficacy of several disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. A new crop of biologics and pharmaceuticals with increased molecular specificity compared with traditional immunosuppressant disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs have been shown to be highly effective in inhibiting the symptoms and progression of psoriatic arthritis with less severe side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapies either recently approved or pending approval by the Food and Drug Administration for psoriatic arthritis management are safe and effective in the treatment of symptoms, significantly improve quality of life, and prevent long-term progression of the disease.
Mease
Philip J
PJ
Seattle Rheumatology Associates, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA. pmease@nwink.com
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha