Multidisciplinary Management of Psoriatic Arthritis: The Benefits of a Comprehensive Approach

Abstract

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a lifelong disease associated with extra-articular manifestations and several comorbidities, as well as reduced quality of life and psychosocial burden. Diagnostic delay is associated with poorer outcomes, while a short delay between symptom onset and diagnosis is linked with preservation of function. Overcoming the barriers to early diagnosis of PsA is often difficult to achieve in the absence of well-characterized disease markers and/or a definitive screening procedure. Once a diagnosis is made, approaches to care may differ between countries, but a treat-to-target approach can be advocated, with constant patient follow-up visits and specialist monitoring and treatment of comorbidities. Adequately addressing all aspects of care can help to drive patient-centered care and encourage better adherence. Given the mounting number of therapeutic options and the complexity of management of PsA, the disease can be optimally treated by a multidisciplinary approach, and a collaborative approach between rheumatologists and dermatologists can be advocated. The need for multidisciplinary management is reinforced by consensus among experts. Patient satisfaction has emerged as a central indicator of quality, and patient-centered care must remain a central goal for the care of patients with PsA. Definition of a minimum set of standards for care will help to achieve the goal of multidisciplinary care for patients with PsA. Optimal care of PsA and greater collaboration among clinicians should always be encouraged so that patients can receive the best possible quality of care.

Funding: Pfizer Italy.

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