AB0543 CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT CHANGES IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS SEEN IN A COMBINED DERMATOLOGY-RHEUMATOLOGY CLINIC

Background: Data on patients with Psoriasis (PSO) referred to a combined Dermatology-Rheumatology outpatient Clinic (Derm-Rheum) with suspected psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are limited. Objectives: To assess patient characteristics and treatment changes in PsA patients referred to a Derm-Rheum Clinic. Methods: Prospective study of PSO patients referred to a combined Derm - Rheum Clinic from February 2018 to June 2020 in a Tertiary University Hospital. Results: Among 151 patients with PSO referred to the Clinic, 129 (85%) with a final diagnosis of PsA were included. In 73% of patients (n=94) PsA was diagnosed there for the 1st time. 56% were females with a mean age of 55 years and a median disease duration of 14.2 years. At initial evaluation, 95% had peripheral arthritis, 45% nail involvement, 23% axial involvement, 12% enthesitis and 6% dactylitis with a median DAPSA score of 20.5 and PASI score of 1.6, respectively. 31% of the patients were not receiving any systemic treatment, 45% were on biologics (30% as monotherapy, 15% in combination with non-biologics), 29% were on non-biologics (14% as monotherapy, 15% in combination with biologics or targeted synthetic agents] and 10% were on targeted synthetic (ts) agents. At last visit (median follow-up: 15 months) only 8% did not receive any systemic therapy (p Conclusion: About 2/3 of patients with PSO referred to a combined Derm - Rheum Clinic with suspicious musculoskeletal complaints were diagnosed for the 1st time as PsA. During follow-up the percentage of PsA patients who started or continued systemic therapy significantly increased with significant improvement of disease activity indices. These data emphasize the value of combined Derm - Rheum Clinics for earlier diagnosis and more efficacious treatment of PsA patients. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by research grants from the Special Account for Research Grants (S.A.R.G.), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.