title: A report of 4 years of experience of a multidisciplinary unit of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Up to 30% of patients with psoriasis develop joint disease, the course of which can be improved by early diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with a new multidisciplinary psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis unit over a period of 4 years (2009-2012).
  
  
  METHODS
  Implementation of a PSOriasis Rheumatology and Dermatology unit (PSORD) to provide patient care and physician training. In the first phase of the project, referral criteria for the unit were defined and several meetings were organized to train and prepare the specialists involved in the program. In the second phase, a schedule was drawn up for monthly patient visits with the PSORD team. Starting in 2011, training was offered to dermatologists and rheumatologists from other hospitals interested in implementing a similar model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 259 visits (71% first visits, 8% no-shows) were scheduled during the period analyzed, with a median of 8 visits (range, 2-14 visits) per session. Sixty-three percent of the patients were referred from the rheumatology department. Diagnosis and treatment were modified in 32% and 47% of cases, respectively. Three training courses were held with 15 physicians from 6 hospitals, 3 of which created similar units.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PSORD model improved the management of difficult-to-diagnose and/or uncontrolled disease, the early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis, and collaboration between dermatologists and rheumatologists. Finally, the model lends itself to being exported to other settings.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: jluelmo@tauli.cat.
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luelmo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gratacós
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Mireia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreno Martínez-Losa
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ribera
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romaní
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calvet
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larrosa
mesh_terms: D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000628:therapy; D003880:Dermatology; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000628:therapy; D012219:Rheumatology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Artritis psoriásica; Dermatology; Dermatología; Enfoque multidisciplinario; Multidisciplinary focus; Psoriasis; Psoriatic arthritis; Reumatología; Rheumatology