Background on PROs in Psoriatic Arthritis

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EP: 1.Background on PROs in Psoriatic Arthritis

EP: 2.Common Symptoms and Treatments in Psoriatic Arthritis

Eingun James Song, MD, FAAD, Co-CMO; ​and Philip Mease, MD, MACR,​introduce a clinical discussion focusing on PROs in psoriatic arthritis, specifically examining the BE OPTIMAL and BE COMPLETE studies for bimekizumab. The session emphasizes the critical importance of measuring PROs like pain, fatigue and health-related quality of life in psoriatic arthritis trials, which differ significantly from plaque psoriasis, where clinician-reported outcomes remain the primary focus.

Psoriatic arthritis presents as a complex multidomain disease affecting multiple body systems simultaneously. Dr. Mease describes it using a symphony metaphor, comparing the disease to “a full orchestra in fortissimo mode” with various sections playing at once, representing skin disease, joint inflammation, enthesitis (ligament/tendon insertion site inflammation), dactylitis (sausage-like digit swelling) and spinal inflammation. This comprehensive disease impact extends beyond visible symptoms to include significant fatigue, depression and various comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease and fibromyalgia.

The holistic nature of psoriatic arthritis necessitates a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses all disease domains rather than focusing solely on traditional metrics like joint counts or Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores. PROs become essential in capturing the full disease burden and treatment effectiveness, as they reflect how the condition truly impacts a patient’s daily functioning and overall quality of life. This patient-centered approach represents a shift toward more meaningful clinical end points that align with what matters most to individuals living with this chronic inflammatory condition.