Psoriasis (PsC) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is often associated with a destructive joint disease known as psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Although significant advances have been made in the treatment of both PsC and PsA, a cure is not yet available, as the specific causes of the diseases are not yet known. Often, the diagnosis of PsC or PsA is delayed, which may lead to disability and greatly affect quality of life for those suffering from these diseases. In order to better predict who may be suffering from early PsA, and why it is that some patients with psoriasis develop arthritis while others do not, we need to know:

1. When and how arthritis progression occurs in patients with PsC
2. Differences in the genetic makeup of PsC patients with and without arthritis
3. Environmental, biological, genetic, and psychological risk factors that predict arthritis in patients with PsC

What was found so far?

This is a multicenter study that commenced in 2008. The Vancouver site is one of more than ten international sites that are collaborating on this project. Scientists from ARC have used data from this study to compare differences in body weight among patients with PsC, PsA, rheumatoid arthritis, and a healthy population to determine which group is most likely to be obese. The results from this study show that both PsC and PsA patients are more likely to be obese. Whether PsA causes obesity or obesity causes PsA warrants further investigation. This research emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight and following a nutritious diet, particularly for patients with PsC and PsA.