Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a disease with complex inflammatory musculoskeletal manifestations, complicates psoriasis in up to 30% of patients. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of an interdisciplinary dermatological-rheumatological consultation (IDRC) for patients with psoriasis with musculoskeletal symptoms. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 202 patients with psoriasis. Patients with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) (n = 115) participated in an IDRC 12 weeks after enrollment. The outcome was evaluated after 24 weeks. RESULTS: In 12/79 (15.2%) patients seen in the IDRC, the prior diagnosis was changed: eight with a first diagnosis of PsA, four with a diagnosis of PsA rescinded. Treatment was modified in 28% of patients. Significant improvements in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) (from 5.3 to 2.0; p < 0.001) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (from 6.7 to 4.5; p = 0.009) were observed. By comparing changes in PASI and DLQI over the study period, an improvement in PASI of 0.7 ± 1.4 points (p = 0.64) and in DLQI of 2.9 ± 1.5 points (p = 0.051) could be attributed to participation in the IDRC. CONCLUSION: An IDRC of patients with psoriasis with MSP leads to a valid diagnosis of PsA and improvement in quality of life. Based on these results, an IDRC is a valuable and time efficient way for psoriasis patient with MSP to receive optimal care.