Progression to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is common among patients with psoriasis, with increased incidence observed among patients with more severe disease, according to a study published online Sept. 18 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Joseph F. Merola, M.D., from Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues assessed the incidence, prevalence, and predictors of PsA among patients with psoriasis stratified by psoriasis severity. The incidence was assessed from psoriasis diagnosis and one year after psoriasis diagnosis.

The researchers found that PsA incidence was 2.9 events per 100 patient-years overall. For mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis, as determined by receiving nonsystemics, nonbiologic systemic therapy, and biologics, the incidence was 2.1, 9.9, and 17.6 events per 100 patient-years, respectively. Overall incidence was lower when excluding patients diagnosed with PsA one year after psoriasis diagnosis (1.7 events per 100 patient-years), with similar trends noted for treatment-severity surrogates.

"Among adults with psoriasis, progression to PsA was common," the authors write. "To ensure timely diagnosis and treatment for management and prevention of PsA, patients with psoriasis should be routinely screened, especially those with more severe disease and other PsA risk factors."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry, including Novartis; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation funded the study.

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