New Irish study aims to help us understand PSORIASIS

Calls for participants as 2,000 people are needed to give information

ATEAM of researchers at University College Dublin (UCD) is urging people with psoriasis across Ireland to sign up for a new study examining their risk of developing psoriasisrelated arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects at least 73,000 people across Ireland, causing flaky, scaly and itchy pink/red patches on the skin. For a third of patients, psoriasis can predispose them to developing psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints of the hands and feet, and which causes pain, swelling, stiffness and joint damage.

The UCD research team, which has partnered with the University of Oxford, is aiming to recruit 2,000 people across Ireland, out of a total of 25,000 across Europe, to the study. The research is supported by the Innovative Medicines Initiative together with AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB.

The research study aims to better determine which psoriasis patients may develop psoriatic arthritis in order to prevent it

‘The study is taking place completely online’

before it occurs. It will also inform wider research efforts to diagnose the condition earlier or predict disease progression, to develop new diagnostic tests, and to pioneer personalised therapies to avert permanent, disabling joint damage.

Anyone over 18 years who has been diagnosed with psoriasis, except those already diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, can take part in the study. Participants will be asked questions about their psoriasis and other medical conditions, any musculoskeletal symptoms arising, treatments they are receiving, and details of their lifestyle.

Taking place completely online, those with the condition can take part from the comfort of their own homes by completing questionnaires every six months over a three-year period.

Some participants may be sent a home blood sampling kit in order to provide a finger-prick blood sample to assist in developing a tool to identify those at higher risk of developing arthritis. Consultant Rheumatologist and study co-lead, Professor Oliver FitzGerald,says currently doctors cannot predict who will develop psoriatic arthritis.

‘Psoriasis is a huge issue for so many people in Ireland and those suffering the additional burden of psoriatic arthritis can also endure joint pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression,’ he says.

‘Unfortunately, right now, we don’t know which patient s with psoriasis will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis and which will not. There is also no test to properly diagnose it. But it is important that it be recognised promptly as each day left untreated leads to poorer outcomes. Also, while we have some good treatments, we don’t have a good way of being completely sure which is the right treatment for which patient.

‘By identifying biomarkers associated with psoriatic arthritis, our aim is to develop a blood test to identify it prior to the development of any symptoms. Ultimately, if we can develop ways of better identifying which patients will develop arthritis, we may be able to prevent it through risk factor modification and preventative therapies. I would encourage anyone over 18 years, who is living with psoriasis, and who has not already been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, to register their interest and invest in their own care. Not only will it be of benefit to them in providing ongoing monitoring of their condition, and an early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis should it arise, but it could also spell the end of the condition for other patients both now and into the future.’

To register for the study, visit