Sensitivity of the GEPARD Patient Questionnaire to Identify Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients with Psoriasis in Daily Practice: The GEPARD-Life Study.
Early detection of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) remains a challenge in clinical practice. Tools such as the German Psoriasis Arthritis Diagnostic (GEPARD) questionnaire have been developed for this purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the performance of the GEPARD questionnaire in the detection of PsA in psoriasis patients following rheumatology evaluation in daily clinical practice in Germany. This was a multicenter study involving 59 dermatology units (university/general hospital/office based), and the GEPARD questionnaire was distributed to psoriasis patients. Patients who had a sum score of ≥4 positive answers were referred to a rheumatologist for evaluation of PsA. We recruited 1,512 patients, of whom approximately 50% were referred. One third of the referred patients were classified as having PsA after rheumatological assessment. Rates of PsA in university/general hospital settings were higher than those observed in a doctor's office-based setting (43.7 vs. 25.8%). The GEPARD questionnaire demonstrated easy screening of psoriasis patients for PsA.
Klinik für Rheumatologie, Klinische Immunologie und Physikalische Therapie, Katholisches Klinikum Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Peter
P
Härle
Katrin
K
Letschert
Bianca
B
Wittig
Ulrich
U
Mrowietz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010824:Physicians' Offices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012219:Rheumatology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires