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Objective: In patients with psoriatic disease (PsD), we sought serum metabolites associated with cardiovascular (CV) events and investigated whether they could improve CV risk prediction beyond traditional risk factors and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS).Methods: Nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics identified biomarkers for incident CV events in patients with PsD. The association of each metabolite with incident CV events was analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression models first adjusted for age and sex, and subsequently for traditional CV risk factors. Variable selection was performed using penalisation with boosting after adjusting for age and sex, and the FRS.Results: Among 977 patients with PsD, 70 patients had incident CV events. In Cox regression models adjusted for CV risk factors, alanine, tyrosine, degree of unsaturation of fatty acids and high-density lipoprotein particles were associated with decreased CV risk. Glycoprotein acetyls, apolipoprotein B and cholesterol remnants were associated with increased CV risk. The age-adjusted and sex-adjusted expanded model with 13 metabolites significantly improved prediction of CV events beyond the model with age and sex alone, with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of 79.9 versus 72.6, respectively (p=0.02). Compared with the FRS alone (AUC=73.9), the FRS-adjusted expanded model with 11 metabolites (AUC=75.0, p=0.72) did not improve CV risk discrimination.Conclusions: We identify novel metabolites associated with the development of CV events in patients with PsD. Further study of their underlying causal role may clarify important pathways leading to CV events in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective was to compare different definitions of remission and low disease activity (LDA) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), based on both patients' and physicians' perspectives.Methods: In ReFlap (Remission/Flare in PsA; NCT03119805), adults with physician-confirmed PsA and >2 years of disease duration in 14 countries were included. Remission was defined as very low disease activity (VLDA), Disease Activity index for PSoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) ≤4, and physician-perceived and patient-perceived remission (specific question yes/no), and LDA as minimal disease activity (MDA), DAPSA <14, and physician-perceived and patient-perceived LDA. Frequencies of these definitions, their agreement (prevalence-adjusted kappa), and sensitivity and specificity versus patient-defined status were assessed cross-sectionally.Results: Of 410 patients, the mean age (SD) was 53.9 (12.5) years, 50.7% were male, disease duration was 11.2 (8.2) years, 56.8% were on biologics, and remission/LDA was frequently attained: respectively, for remission from 12.4% (VLDA) to 36.1% (physician-perceived remission), and for LDA from 25.4% (MDA) to 43.9% (patient-perceived LDA). Thus, patient-perceived remission/LDA was frequent (65.4%). Agreement between patient-perceived remission/LDA and composite scores was moderate to good (kappa range, 0.12-0.65). When patient-perceived remission or LDA status is used as reference, DAPSA-defined remission/LDA and VLDA/MDA had a sensitivity of 73.1% and 51.5%, respectively, and a specificity of 76.8% and 88.0%, respectively. Physician-perceived remission/LDA using a single question was frequent (67.6%) but performed poorly against other definitions.Conclusion: In this unselected population, remission/LDA was frequently attained. VLDA/MDA was a more stringent definition than DAPSA-based remission/LDA. DAPSA-based remission/LDA performed better than VLDA/MDA to detect patient-defined remission or remission/LDA. Further studies of long-term outcomes are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the incidence and risk factors of cardiovascular events in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Methods: A cohort analysis was conducted involving patients recruited and followed over the period from 1978 to 2013 in a large PsA clinic. The participants were assessed at 6 to 12-month intervals according to a standard protocol. The collected information included demographics, lifestyle habits, medical history, medications use and PsA-related outcomes. The primary outcome was a composite major cardiovascular end point comprising myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, revascularisation or cardiovascular death. The association between the features of disease activity and the occurrence of cardiovascular events was assessed using Cox proportional hazard models.Results: A total of 1091 patients with PsA were analysed. During the follow-up period, 104 cardiovascular events occurred. A considerable proportion of patients developed a cardiovascular event (19.8% of the patients by the age of 70 years and 30.1% of patient by the age of 80 years). No trend in the risk of developing cardiovascular events was observed over the decades from 1978 to 2013 (p=0.73). In multivariate analysis, the following variables were independent predictors of major cardiovascular events: hypertension (relative risk (RR) 1.81, p=0.015), diabetes (RR 2.72, p<0.001) and the number of dactylitic digits (RR 1.20, p<0.001). Sedimentation rate was a significant predictor only among women (RR 1.83, p=0.02).Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients with PsA develop cardiovascular events during the course of their disease. Increased cardiovascular risk is associated with a combination of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify a core set of domains (outcomes) to be measured in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) clinical trials that represent both patients' and physicians' priorities.Methods: We conducted (1) a systematic literature review (SLR) of domains assessed in PsA; (2) international focus groups to identify domains important to people with PsA; (3) two international surveys with patients and physicians to prioritise domains; (4) an international face-to-face meeting with patients and physicians using the nominal group technique method to agree on the most important domains; and (5) presentation and votes at the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) conference in May 2016. All phases were performed in collaboration with patient research partners.Results: We identified 39 unique domains through the SLR (24 domains) and international focus groups (34 domains). 50 patients and 75 physicians rated domain importance. During the March 2016 consensus meeting, 12 patients and 12 physicians agreed on 10 candidate domains. Then, 49 patients and 71 physicians rated these domains' importance. Five were important to >70% of both groups: musculoskeletal disease activity, skin disease activity, structural damage, pain and physical function. Fatigue and participation were important to >70% of patients. Patient global and systemic inflammation were important to >70% of physicians. The updated PsA core domain set endorsed by 90% of OMERACT 2016 participants includes musculoskeletal disease activity, skin disease activity, pain, patient global, physical function, health-related quality of life, fatigue and systemic inflammation.Conclusions: The updated PsA core domain set incorporates patients' and physicians' priorities and evolving PsA research. Next steps include identifying outcome measures that adequately assess these domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate whether a higher burden of inflammation is associated with more severe atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods Patients from a large PsA cohort were analysed. The cumulative effect of inflammation was measured by a time-adjusted arithmetic mean of all measurements from the first visit to the clinic. The following variables were considered as predictors: Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index (PASI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count, tender and swollen joint counts, C-reactive protein, Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score (PASDAS) and Disease Activity for PsA (DAPSA). Vascular ultrasound of the carotid arteries was performed, and total plaque area was measured. This measure represented the extent of atherosclerosis and was considered the outcome of interest. The association between inflammation over time and atherosclerosis was assessed by regression models adjusted for age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors. Results A total of 235 patients with PsA were analysed. Patients with more severe atherosclerosis were older (p<0.001), more likely to be obese (p=0.01), smokers (p=0.008) and have hypertension (p=0.001), diabetes (p<0.0001) and dyslipidaemia (p<0.0001). In a multivariate regression model adjusted for age and sex, higher ESR (p=0.009), WBC count (p=0.015) and DAPSA (p=0.04) were associated with more severe atherosclerosis. These associations were not significant after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. No association was found between disease duration and atherosclerosis. Conclusions Exposure to an increased burden of inflammation is associated with more severe atherosclerosis in patients with PsA. This association may be mediated by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To assess whether overweight and obese patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are less likely to achieve sustained minimal disease activity (MDA) state compared to patients with normal weight. Methods A cohort of patients was assessed at the University of Toronto PsA clinic at 6-12-month intervals according to a standard protocol from 2003 to 2012. Patients were categorised into the following groups according to their body mass index (BMI): normal (<25), overweight (25-30), and obese (>30). Sustained MDA was defined as achieving low disease activity state in five or more of the following domains for at least 1 year: skin, enthesitis, tender and swollen joint counts, pain, patient global assessment and function. Proportional odds discrete time to event analysis was used to investigate the association between BMI category and the achievement of sustained MDA. Results Of the 557 patients included in the study, 36.2% were classified as overweight and 35.4% were obese. Overall, 66.1% of the patients achieved sustained MDA during the follow-up period. A dose-response association was found between obesity and the probability of achieving sustained MDA in the multivariate regression analysis. Patients in the higher BMI categories were less likely to achieve sustained MDA compared those in the lowest BMI category (overweight: OR 0.66 p=0.003; obese: OR 0.53 p<0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Conclusions Overweight and obese patients with PsA are less likely to achieve sustained MDA compared to those of normal weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate the usefulness of carotid atherosclerosis assessment in cardiovascular risk stratification of patients with psoriatic disease compared with the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). Methods Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis alone (PsC), who had no previous history of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus were recruited. They underwent assessment of their cardiovascular risk factors and the FRS was calculated. Based on the FRS, the participants were classified into low, intermediate and high-risk categories. Ultrasound assessment of the carotid artery was performed, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and total plaque area (TPA) were measured. Patients were stratified into three ultrasound-based risk categories (low, intermediate and high) according to the severity of atherosclerosis. The extent of reclassification from FRS-based category into US-based risk category was assessed. Results A total of 226 patients with psoriatic disease were assessed. FRS correlated moderately with TPA (r=0.36) and cIMT (r=0.37) and explained only 19% of their variability. 56.1% of the patients in the FRS-based low to intermediate risk groups were found to have carotid plaques. 55.9% of the patients from the FRS-based intermediate risk category were reclassified into an ultrasound-based high-risk category, while 47.1% of the patients in the FRS-based low-risk category were reclassified into a higher US-based risk group. The extent of reclassification into a higher risk category was particularly high among patients with PsA. Conclusions Ultrasound assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis may improve risk stratification of patients with psoriatic disease, particularly of those with PsA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine whether tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) blockers are more effective than methotrexate in inhibiting the progression of radiographic joint damage in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods A cohort analysis of patients followed prospectively in a large PsA clinic was conducted. Patients who received a TNFα blocker were compared to those treated with methotrexate. Patients who had records of at least 12 months of treatment with either medication for active peripheral PsA and had radiographic bone erosions were analysed. Radiographs of the hands and feet were performed at baseline, 1-2 years (time 1) and 3-4 years (time 2). Radiographic joint damage was scored according to the modified Steinbrocker score. The outcome of interest was the occurrence of radiographic progression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using generalised estimating equations for repeated measures was used to compare progression in radiographic joint damage between the two treatment groups. Results 65 patients treated with TNFα blockers and 70 patients treated with methotrexate were analysed. The proportion of patients who demonstrated progression of radiographic damage score at time 1 and time 2 was higher in the methotrexate group compared to the TNFα blockers group (at time 1: 80% vs 58.9% p=0.005; at time 2: 88% vs 61% p=0.005). In the multivariate regression analysis methotrexate treatment was associated with an increase in radiographic damage compared to TNFα blockers (p=0.001). Conclusions In a clinic setting, patients with erosive PsA receiving TNFα blockers had a better radiographic outcome compared to those treated with methotrexate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the levels of related biomarkers in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis without arthritis (PsC). Methods This study compared patients with PsA and patients with PsC. The presence of MetS was determined. Serum levels of insulin, adiponectin and leptin were measured. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. HOMA-IR, adiponectin and leptin were log- transformed. Continuous variables were compared using the t test and the Χ² test was used for discrete variables. Multivariate regression models were used to investigate the association of MetS and adiponectin with PsA compared to PsC after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Results 203 PsA and 155 PsC patients were analysed. The prevalence of MetS was higher in PsA patients compared to those with PsC. However, this did not reach statistical signi?cance (36.5% vs 27.1%, p=0.056). The levels of adipokines were significantly higher in PsA compared to PsC: adiponectin (8.8±5.2 vs 7.4±4.5 log (οg/ml), p=0.009) and leptin in women (3.1±0.8 vs 2.8±0.8, log (ng/ml), p=0.04). HOMA-IR was also higher in PsA (0.97±0.63 vs 0.68±0.81, p<0.001). No difference was observed in leptin levels in men. In multivariate regression analysis, PsA (p=0.04) and the psoriasis area and severity index score (p=0.02) were associated with MetS. Adiponectin was significantly associated with PsA (p=0.005), the use of anti-tumour necrosis factor a therapy (p=0.03) and active joint count (p=0.001). Conclusions MetS and related adipokines correlated with an increased burden of skin and joint inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To compare the extent of atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patients with cutaneous psoriasis without arthritis (PsC). Methods In this cross-sectional study the authors compared patients with PsA with PsC patients. Psoriasis patients underwent a rheumatological assessment to exclude inflammatory arthritis. Ultrasonographic measurements of carotid total plaque area (TPA) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were performed. t Test was used to compare the imaging findings between the two groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between disease status and imaging findings after adjusting for potential confounders. Results Overall, 125 PsA and 114 PsC patients were compared. There were no significant differences in age, gender or cardiovascular risk factors between the two groups. Patients with PsA exhibited greater TPA than did PsC patients (TPA (square root of area in mm2) 3.33±3.34 vs 2.43±2.72, p=0.03). This difference remained statistically significant in the multivariate regression analysis after adjusting for potential confounders (p=0.03). The difference in cIMT between the groups did not achieve statistical significance (p=0.09). The following diseaserelated variables were associated with increase in TPA in multivariate regression analysis among PsA patients: duration of PsA (p=0.04), highest Psoriasis Area and Severity Index recorded in the first 3 years of follow-up (p=0.02) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.005). Conclusions PsA patients suffer from more severe subclinical atherosclerosis compared with patients with PsC. This difference is independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and correlates with PsA disease duration, more severe skin disease and increased inflammatory markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The authors aimed to assess gender-related differences in severity of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) as reflected by measures of disease activity, joint damage, quality of life and disability. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed among patients who have been followed in a large PsA clinic. Demographic, clinical and radiographic data as well as information about quality of life and function were retrieved from the clinic database. Radiographic damage was assessed according to modified Steinbrocker score (mSS). The association between gender and the following outcome variables, radiographic joint damage, axial involvement and measures of quality of life and function, was assessed by multivariate regression analysis after adjustment for potential confounders. Results Three hundred and forty-five men and 245 women were included in the study. Axial involvement was more frequent in men (42.9% vs 31%, p=0.003). In multivariate analysis, adjusting for potential confounders, men were more likely to develop axial involvement (OR 1.8, p=0.003). Men were also more likely to develop more severe radiographic damage in the peripheral joints as evident by mSS. Men were more likely to be in a higher mSS damage category compared with women after adjusting for potential confounders in multivariate analysis (OR 1.6, p=0.007). Women suffered from more severe limitations in function and worse quality of life compared with men based on several patients' reported outcomes. Conclusions Men with PsA are more likely to develop axial involvement and radiographic joint damage, while women are more likely to report about limitation in function and impaired quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A recent population-based study identified several HLA alleles as conferring a risk for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis. The authors aimed to confirm these results using a family-based association study. Methods: PsA probands, psoriasis probands and their first-degree family members were included. All participants were evaluated for the presence of psoriasis and inflammatory arthritis. HLA-B and -C genotyping was performed. The family-based association test was used to test for differences between PsA and psoriasis patients in transmission of candidate alleles from parents to offspring. Results: A total of 178 PsA and 30 psoriasis probands and 561 first degree family members were analysed. The following HLA alleles were over-transmitted to PsA compared with psoriasis: HLA-C*12 (p = 0.005), HLA-B*38 (p = 0.04), HLA-B*39 (p=0.03), HLA-B*27 (p=0.002). Conclusions: HLA-B*27, HLA-B*38, HLA-B*39 and HLA-C*12 alleles are potential PsA-specific genetic markers among patients with psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate the association between smoking and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis and its interaction with the HLA-C*06 allele. Methods In this exploratory case-control study, smoking status was determined at the time of the diagnosis of arthritis for PsA patients and at their first study visit for psoriasis patients, when they were confirmed not to have PsA. The proportions of patients exposed to smoking were compared in patients with PsA to those with psoriasis alone. A logistic regression model was constructed to test the independent association of smoking and PsA after adjusting for potential confounders. The statistical interaction between HLA-C*06 and smoking was tested through a regression model. Results The proportions of current and past smokers were higher in the psoriasis group compared with the PsA group (30.2% vs 23.4% and 26.7% vs 22.3%, p=0.001, respectively). On multivariate analysis being a current smoker versus a lifetime non-smoker remained inversely associated with PsA (OR 0.57, p=0.002), while past smoker versus lifetime non-smoker status was no longer significant. In a subgroup analysis, smoking remained inversely associated with PsA only among patients who were HLA-C*06 negative. Regression analysis revealed that the interaction between smoking status (ever smoked vs lifetime non-smoker) and HLA-C*06 was statistically significant (p=0.01). Conclusion Smoking may be inversely associated with PsA among psoriasis patients. This association is not present among HLA-C*06-positive individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Genes that differentiate patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from those with cutaneous psoriasis (PsC) may serve as markers for the development of PsA in patients with psoriasis. The authors aimed to identify human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles that are associated with the development of PsA in patients with psoriasis. Methods 712 adult patients with PsA, 335 adult patients with PsC and 713 healthy controls were genotyped for HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DR and HLA-DQ alleles. Differences in allelic distributions for each of the HLA loci were compared using a likelihood ratio test. Logistic regression analysis of multiple loci was performed to account for linkage disequilibrium. Haplotype information was inferred using the expectation--maximisation algorithm (given HLA-C and HLA-B genotypes) and analysed similarly. Results The following HLA alleles were found to be significantly associated with patients with PsA compared to patients with PsC in multivariate regression analysis: B*08 (OR 1.61, p=0.009), B*27 (OR 5.17, p<0.0001), B*38 (OR 1.65, p=0.026) and C*06 (OR 0.58, p=0.0002). HLA-B*27, HLA-B*38 and HLA-C*06 frequencies were also significantly higher in patients with PsA than in healthy controls (B*27: OR 3.05, p<0.0001; B*38: OR 5.9, p<0.0001; HLA-C*06: OR 1.71, p<0.0001). The following haplotypes were independently associated with PsA compared to PsC: HLA-B*18- C*07 (OR 10.1, p=0.004), HLA-B*27-C*01 (OR 41.1, p<0.0001), HLA-B*27-C*02 (OR 19.9, p<0.0001), HLA-B*38-C*12 (OR 2.9, p=0.01), HLA-B*08-C*07 (OR 2.6, p=0.004) and HLA-B*57-C*06 (OR 0.5, p=0.03). Conclusions Certain HLA-B and HLA-C alleles confer susceptibility to PsA among patients with psoriasis and may be used to identify patients with PsC who may develop PsA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the discriminative ability and correlation of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) with disease activity in axial psoriatic arthritis (AxPsA). Methods Patients with AxPsA were selected from a large prospective cohort study of psoriatic arthritis. Patient and physician global scores were used as constructs of disease activity. Patients were categorised into high and low disease activity states based on patient and physician global assessment scores and physician's decision to change treatment. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, linear and logistic regression. Results 201 patients with AxPsA were included in the study. ASDAS and BASDAI showed good correlation with disease activity as reflected by the patient global score (correlation coefficients (r) for BASDAI 0.84, ASDAS-B 0.77, ASDAS-C 0.81, p<0.001) and the physician global score (r=0.53 for BASDAI, r=0.50 for ASDAS-B, r=0.55 for ASDAS-C, p<0.001). Both scores showed good discriminative ability between high and low disease activity states. However, there were no significant differences between areas under the curve for the models that compared ASDAS with BASDAI for each definition of disease activity state. Conclusions In patients with AxPsA, ASDAS and BASDAI scores show similar good to moderate discriminative ability and correlation with different constructs of disease activity. ASDAS was not superior to BASDAI in its ability to discriminate between high and low disease activity states in AxPsA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate whether obese patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were less likely to be in remission/low disease activity (LDA)., Methods: We used data from the ReFlaP, an international multi-centre cohort study (NCT03119805), which recruited consecutive adults with definite PsA (disease duration ≥ 2 years) from 14 countries. Demographics, clinical data, comorbidities, and patient-reported outcomes were collected. Remission/LDA was defined as Very Low Disease Activity (VLDA)/minimal disease activity (MDA), Disease Activity in PSoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) ≤4/≤14, or by patients' opinion. Obesity was defined as physician-reported and/or body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 . We evaluated the association between obesity and the presence of remission/LDA, with adjustment in multivariable regression models., Results: Among 431 patients (49.3% women), 136 (31.6%) were obese. Obese versus non-obese patients were older, more frequently women, had higher tender joint and enthesitis counts and worse pain, physical function and health-related quality of life. Obese patients were less likely to be in VLDA; DAPSA remission and MDA, with adjusted ORs of 0.31 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.77); 0.39 (95% CI 0.19 to 0.80) and 0.61 (95% CI 0.38 to 0.99), respectively. Rates of DAPSA-LDA and patient-reported remission/LDA were similar for obese and non-obese patients., Conclusion: PsA patients with comorbid obesity were 2.5-3 folds less likely to be in remission/LDA by composite scores compared with non-obese patients; however, remission/LDA rates were similar based on the patients' opinion. PsA patients with comorbid obesity may have different disease profiles and require individualised management., Competing Interests: Competing interests: YYL has received consulting fee and speaking fees from AbbVie, DKSH, Janssen, Novartis and Pfizer. LCC is an Editorial Board Member of RMD Open, she has received grants/research support from AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB; worked as a paid consultant for AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Galapagos, Janssen, Moonlake, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB; and has been paid as a speaker for AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. MdW has received fees for lectures or consultancy from Celgene, Eli Lilly, Pfizer and UCB. JSS received Research Grants for his institution from Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Novartis and Roche, and honoraria for consultancies and/or speaking engagements from AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Astro, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Chugai, Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis- Sandoz, Pfizer, R-Pharm, Samsung, Sanofi, and UCB. UK has received grants and research support and consultancy fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Biocad, Biogen, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Fresenius, Gilead, Grünenthal, GSK, Hexal, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, onkowoessen.de, Pfizer, Roche, UCB and Viatris. AB has received speakers’ fees and consulting fees from Abbvie, Amgen, Akros, Astra-Zeneca, Angellini, AlphaSigma, BMS, Berlin-Chemie, Biogen, Lilly, Mylan, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Teva, UCB, Zentiva; and was investigator in clinical trials sponsored by Akros, MSD, Sanofi, Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca, Novartis, BMS, GSK, Roche, UCB, Sandoz. LG has received research grants from Sandoz, UCB; consulting fees from AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Celltrion, Galapagos, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, UCB., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)

Objectives: Patient care can vary substantially by country. The objective was to explore differences in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) across countries for disease activity, impact and treatments., Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 13 countries from the Remission/Flare in PsA study (NCT03119805) of consecutive adult patients with definite PsA was performed. Countries were classified into tertiles by gross domestic product (GDP)/capita. Disease activity (Disease Activity in PsA, DAPSA and Minimal Disease Activity, MDA) and their components, disease impact (patient-reported outcomes) and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) were analysed per country and compared between the three tertiles of GDP/capita by parametric and non-parametric tests. We also explored the percentage of patients with significant disease activity (DAPSA >14) and no ongoing bDMARD prescription., Results: In 439 patients (50.6% male, mean age 52.3 years, mean disease duration 10.1 years), disease activity and disease impact were higher in the lowest GDP/capita countries. DAPSA remission and MDA were attained in the lowest tertile in 7.0% and 18.4% patients, vs 29.1% and 49.5% in the middle tertile and 16.8% and 41.3% in the high tertile, respectively (all p<0.001). bDMARDs use was similar in the tertiles (overall mean 61%). The overall rate of patients with DAPSA >14 and no bDMARDs was 18.5%, and was higher in lower GDP/capita countries (p=0.004)., Conclusion: PsA patients from countries with the lowest GDP/capita, despite similar use of bDMARDs, were more likely to have high disease activity and worse disease impact. There is a need for more equity in healthcare., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)