Why is research in Psoriasis and PsA necessary?

The overall aim of the HIPPOCRATES initiative is to increase the quality of life of people with psoriasis (Pso) and people with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).

PsA is a chronic, inflammatory disease with a severe impact on quality of life. The symptoms do not only occur in peripheral joints of the hands and feet (pain and deformations), spine and skin, but can also affect other parts of the body such as the eyes (uveitis), nails, soft tissues around the joint and bowel. People with PsA sometimes also have other diseases such as atherosclerosis (build up of fats, cholesterol and other substances on artery walls which can restrict blood flow and thereby cause blood clots), heart disease, obesity and depression.

It is estimated that 1-2% of the general population has PsA which means that in the EU between 5 to 10 million people are affected. Up to 30% of people living with psoriasis which are at least 100 million people worldwide according to the WHO are expected to develop PsA. However, as things stand, we do not have a diagnostic test for PsA and we do not know how to identify which psoriasis patients will go on to get PsA. In addition, there have been impressive recent advances in the development of several new treatments for PsA but these different treatments are not effective in all patients. Currently, we don't know which treatment will work best for which PsA patient.