Psoriatic arthritis is a progressive irreversible joint disease associated with psoriasis. It is estimated that between 20% to 40% of psoriasis patients will eventually develop PsA; however, the prevalence of PsA may be higher than estimated due to the lack of accepted diagnostic criteria and manifestation of symptoms that are similar to other arthritic conditions.

In the majority of the patients, PsA symptoms appear at least a decade after the onset of cutaneous psoriasis; therefore, dermatologists have a unique opportunity to practice preventative medicine. The importance of this therapeutic window is underscored by the fact that PsA becomes more severe when left untreated, leaving patients with significant joint damage, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life.

FDA approved medications for the treatment of PsA are most effective at controlling inflammation and arresting joint destruction, but are ineffective at reversing joint damage; therefore, it is important to identify psoriasis patients at high risk for developing PsA prior to the onset of arthritic symptoms.

Current PsA screening techniques identify symptomatic patients after the onset of  inflammatory arthritis. The objective of the PsoriasisDX screening test is to help physicians identify patients with a high risk for developing PsA prior to the onset of symptoms.

Identifying PsA in an earlier or pre-clinical stage will allow treatment to be initiated at a time when intervention has a greater likelihood of succeeding. Early screening combined with tailored treatment will help prevent disease progression and slow joint destruction.