NIAMS Roundtable Focuses on Psoriatic Arthritis Research

Roundtable participants included NIAMS director Dr. Stephen Katz (seated, third from l), deputy director Dr. Robert Carter (seated, c), director of the NIAMS Division of Skin and Rheumatic Diseases Dr. Susana Serrate-Sztein (standing, l), Dr. Robert Colbert, deputy clinical director of the NIAMS Intramural Research Program (standing, third from r) and staff members Drs. James Witter (seated, r) and Ricardo Cibotti (seated, second from l). The meeting was co-chaired by Katz along with NIAMS grantees Drs. Kevin Cooper (seated, l) and Christopher Ritchlin (seated, third from r).

Photo: Colleen Dundas

NIH-supported basic, translational and clinical researchers, as well as a patient advocate, recently met with NIAMS leadership and staff to discuss research gaps and emerging opportunities in psoriatic arthritis. 

This form of arthritis (joint inflammation) can occur in people who have the skin disease psoriasis. The group addressed topics such as ways to improve understanding of the unique pathophysiology of psoriatic arthritis, especially in the early or subclinical phases; similarities and differences between psoriatic arthritis and diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis; and mechanisms underlying the relationship of metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities to psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.  

Attendees also discussed approaches to engage new investigators, patients and patient advocacy organizations in this field and opportunities to promote collaborations between rheumatologists and dermatologists.