An international study has revealed significant findings regarding the risk of arthritis in individuals with psoriasis. So far, the study has included 712 patients, which is 25% of the total studied and has shown a substantial number of them experiencing joint problems.
This research, conducted by experts from Oxford University, University College Dublin, and supported by The University of Manchester, has already recruited nearly 3,000 participants. However, the team is still looking for 2,000 more psoriasis participants. Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by flaky patches with white scales and affects around 3% of people in the UK and Europe.
The fact that 25% of the participants have joint issues confirms what scientists already knew: up to a third of people with psoriasis are likely to develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This form of arthritis leads to inflammation and pain in the joints and tendons.
The study is led by Professor Laura Cotes from Oxford University. She explained that, currently, there is no way to determine which psoriasis patients will develop arthritis. This research aims to create methods to prevent arthritis in these patients through possible drug treatments or lifestyle changes such as exercise and stress management.
The study is an online study called HIPPOCRATES Prospective Observational Study. This online study, short form HPOS, monitors individuals with psoriasis for three years to identify who develops psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Participants complete online surveys and send small blood samples via mail. The study started in the UK in July 2023 and expanded to Ireland in August 2023, Greece in February 2024, and Portugal in April 2024. The research team in Oxford plans to include another 12 European countries, aiming to recruit 25,000 psoriasis patients in total.
Professor Cotes mentioned that researchers from across Europe will gather in Manchester on June 19 and 20 to discuss the study’s progress. So far, they have collected initial data from 2,841 patients, with 1,761 from Ireland and 1,067 from the UK.
Professor Ann Barton from The University of Manchester analyzes the genetic samples collected in the study. She stated that some psoriasis patients will develop psoriatic arthritis. If they can identify which patients are at a higher risk, these individuals could receive preventative treatments in the future.
Manchester is focusing on finding genetic changes that might predict who is more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis. The HPOS study will help collect the necessary samples to advance this work.
Russ Cowper, a Manchester resident who has lived with PsA for many years, shared that diagnosing PsA is challenging and can be confusing for patients. He noted that general practitioners might not always recognize the symptoms, which can vary widely. Once diagnosed, patients can better plan for their future, knowing they have a chronic condition.
He described PsA as a debilitating condition with unpredictable flare-ups, affecting nearly all his joints except his elbows. He explained that the pain can be exhausting, leading to poor sleep and making daily tasks difficult.
The study is part of the broader HIPPOCRATES project, which is a large research collaboration involving over 25 groups across Europe. Under the leadership of Professor Oliver FitzGerald in Dublin, the project seeks to address critical questions about psoriasis, such as its diagnosis, predicting arthritis development, responses to treatments, and identifying which patients may suffer joint damage.
Professor FitzGerald mentioned that people with psoriasis have been involved in all aspects of the study. He expects the results to identify risk factors for developing psoriatic arthritis and hopes for strong public interest, which could lead to new treatments to prevent the condition.
