Abstract

Minimal and Low Disease Activity Among Psoriatic Arthritis Patients in the UAE: a Multi-Center Cross Sectional Study

Author(s): Dr. Humeira Badsha*, Tala El Tal, Bhavna Khan, Richard Kirubakaran, and Ghita Harifi

Aim: This study aims to (1) Describe a multi-ethnic cohort of PsA patients seen in rheumatology centers in UAE, in terms of socio-demographic features, clinical and disease characteristics, and treatment trends (2) Explore relationship between active combination (biologics and methotrexate (MTX)) or MTX users and achieving minimal disease activity (MDA).

Methods: Patients ≥ 18 years with PsA from a database of two rheumatology centers in the UAE were included. Continuous data were presented as mean and standard deviation (SD); dichotomous data were presented as percentages. To estimate the treatment effect on MDA the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

Results: 143 patients were included (mean age 43.5 (SD: 10.2), 60% male; ethnicity: South Asian (45%), Arab (16%) and Caucasian (33%)). Using Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) scores, 29 (18%) were in remission, 65 (45%) in low disease activity (LDA), 32 (22%) moderate disease activity and 17 (11%) in high disease activity (HDA). Using the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) scores, MDA was achieved in 88/143 (62%). Active users of combination therapy (OR 4.8, 95% CI [1.29, 17.8]; p = 0.02) or biologics alone (OR 5.36, 95% CI [2.10, 13.70]; p=0.0004) were at increased odds of achieving MDA.

Conclusion: this study provides insight on the epidemiology, disease and treatment trends in PsA in UAE where by majority of our PsA patients that were largely on biologics or combination therapy, had well controlled disease. This supports the early use of biologics in treatment of PsA.