Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Fulfilling the Minimal Disease Activity Criteria Do Not Have Swollen and Tender Joints, but Have Active Skin

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate components of the minimal disease activity (MDA) criteria in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: In patients achieving and not achieving MDA, fulfillment of each of the 7 criteria was evaluated. RESULTS: Among 41 patients with MDA, 7.4% did not fulfill the tender/swollen joint count whereas 49% did not fulfill the skin criteria. Of the 42 patients not fulfilling MDA, 100%, 76.5%, and 65% did not fulfill the patient pain score, the patient's global assessment, and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), respectively. CONCLUSION: A minority of patients with PsA fulfilling the MDA criteria presented active joints, but half had active skin. Visual analog scale scores and the PASI prevented patients from achieving MDA.