31 May 2022
We’ve launched an updated guideline containing recommendations and best practice when caring for people with psoriatic arthritis.
Dr William Tillett, who co-led the guideline with Dr Laura Coates, says: "Since the last guidelines were published in 2012 there's been a rapid expansion in the number of therapeutic options available and an improved understanding of treatment strategy to improve the way we treat psoriatic arthritis. This guideline helps everyone understand when and how to use these medications and their impact on co-morbidities."
The updated guideline includes information on biologic and targeted drugs to help clinicians understand how effective they are, when they can work and the impact on other associated conditions.
The NICE-approved guideline includes a flow chart which allows clinicians to gain an overview of treatment at a glance, with more detailed information and links to other resources later on.
Dr Coates adds: "We’ve put patients at the centre covering treatment selection, treat-to-target approaches, lifestyle modifications and we’ve addressed some of the challenging areas we see in routine practice, such as switching and tapering."
As well as members from rheumatology, the working group who created the guideline included patients, dermatologists, gastroenterologists and ophthalmologists to ensure comprehensive representation.
“In areas where there was an absence of evidence, we’ve reached out to experts in other fields to fill the gaps,” explains Dr Tillett. "Our hope is that these guidelines will be accessible for everyone involved in the care of psoriatic arthritis patients."
Read the guideline