Rheumatologists' recommendations on what to do in the dermatology office to evaluate and manage psoriasis patients' joint symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis patients presenting to the dermatologist for skin disease management may have joint symptoms related to psoriatic arthritis. Dermatologists should ask psoriasis patients about these, yet may not be sure about how to best collaborate with rheumatologists in the management of these patients.
OBJECTIVE: To describe how rheumatologists view the role of dermatologists in addressing and identifying signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients.
METHODS: A questionnaire was developed concerning the evaluation and management of joint complaints in a dermatology setting. The survey was sent to rheumatologists interested in psoriatic arthritis.
RESULTS: Rheumatologists recommended dermatologists ask psoriasis patients about joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue to evaluate for psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatology referral was recommended if patients had signs of inflammatory joint disease that were unrelieved by non-prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Patients with disabling joint symptoms, no improvement on (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; DMARD) therapy, or with other causes of joint pain should be referred to rheumatology. Rheumatologists recommended that dermatologists only provide DMARD therapy for joint symptoms if concomitant skin disease warrants such treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Dermatologists play a pivotal role in preventing joint destruction in psoriasis patients by screening for signs of psoriatic arthritis, initiating treatment, and referring patients to a rheumatologist when appropriate.