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Management of psoriatic arthritis: The therapeutic interface between rheumatology and dermatology

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Abstract

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis, which occurs in up to 30% of individuals with psoriasis. Dermatologists and other physicians treating psoriasis are in an ideal position to screen for the condition, and with rheumatologists, strategize optimal therapy. Mild skin and joint manifestations may be treated effectively with topical agents, ultraviolet light therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. More severe manifestations of the disease, including progressive peripheral joint damage, spine disease, enthesitis, dactylitis, and severe skin changes, require systemic therapy. Traditional systemic agents include methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and cyclosporine. When these agents are not adequate or not tolerated, new biologic agents, particularly antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) compounds, have shown significant and enduring benefit in all disease domains, improvement in quality of life and function, and inhibition of progressive joint damage.

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  1. Seattle Rheumatology Associates, Division of Rheumatology Research, Swedish Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1101 Madison Street, Suite 1000, 98104, Seattle, WA, USA

    Philip Mease MD

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Mease, P. Management of psoriatic arthritis: The therapeutic interface between rheumatology and dermatology. Curr Rheumatol Rep 8, 348–354 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-006-0064-9

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