RhAPPcast

In this journal club episode, Jeannette Hart, PA-C—co-founder of PNW Arthritis and Rheumatology and practicing at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Washington—reviews pivotal findings from the SAPPHIRE trial, which led to the FDA approval of sarilumab for the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Published in the New England Journal of Medicine in October 2023, this phase 3 randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of IL-6 receptor blockade with sarilumab in patients with PMR who relapsed during glucocorticoid tapering. Jeannette outlines key study design elements, inclusion/exclusion criteria, primary and secondary endpoints, and statistical outcomes—highlighting how sarilumab signif...

In this FAQ video, Claudia Rivera, NP, a rheumatology nurse practitioner from East Lansing, Michigan, discusses when to consider a steroid-sparing agent in the management of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and what treatment options are available. While prednisone remains the cornerstone of PMR therapy, long-term steroid use poses significant risks including osteoporosis, diabetes, adrenal suppression, and infection. Claudia reviews guideline-based tapering strategies and highlights scenarios where steroid-sparing agents are clinically appropriate—such as glucocorticoid dependence, frequent disease relapses, or high risk for steroid toxicity. She explores commonly used agents like methotrexate, leflunomide, and azathioprine, as well as the 2023 FDA-approved biologic sa...

In this video, Kyle George, PA-C, a rheumatology physician assistant with St. Luke’s Rheumatology in Idaho, reviews the key clinical takeaways from the 2015 ACR and EULAR treatment guidelines for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). PMR is a common inflammatory condition in older adults, marked by bilateral shoulder or hip girdle pain and stiffness. Kyle discusses the diagnostic criteria, the hallmark rapid response to low-dose glucocorticoids, and the importance of screening for concurrent giant cell arteritis (GCA). He breaks down recommended prednisone tapering strategies, the definition and management of disease flares, and the conditional use of methotrexate for patients with frequent re...

In this video, clinical pharmacist and RhAPP faculty member Danielle Gatti Palumbo breaks down the mechanism of action of methotrexate, explaining how this folate antimetabolite works to inhibit DNA synthesis, reduce inflammation, and regulate immune response.

Methotrexate is a folate antimetabolite that plays a crucial role in inhibiting DNA synthesis, repair, and cellular replication, making it a widely used treatment for autoimmune diseases and certain cancers. Its primary mechanism involves binding to and inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which prevents the formation of reduced folate, a key component in DNA and RNA synthesis. This inhibition is why folic...

In this journal club session, Danielle Gatti-Palumbo, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at Northwell Health Division of Rheumatology, explores the safety and efficacy of deucravacitinib, a first-in-class, oral selective TYK2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (Feb 2025) by Dr. Milan Shaw and colleagues, the expert consensus review highlights six key recommendations based on a comprehensive literature review and panel discussion. Danielle breaks down how deucravacitinib offers a highly targeted mechanism that avoids many of the risks seen with traditional JAK inhibitors, including no observed increase in MACE (major adverse...

In this episode of RhAPPcast, the official podcast of Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP), host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, dives into the evolving role of TYK2 inhibition in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Joined by special guest and PsA expert Eileen Lydon, NP, the episode unpacks the science behind the TYK2/STAT signaling pathway, how it differs from traditional JAK inhibition, and what this means for patient care. Together, Amanda and Eileen explore key cytokines like IL-12, IL-23, and type I interferons, and how selective TYK2 inhibitors such as deucravacitinib offer targeted modulation with a potentially improved safety profile.<...

Hydroxychloroquine is a cornerstone therapy in rheumatology, offering significant benefits for mild rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus. In this video, Jessica Farrell, PharmD, clinical pharmacist in rheumatology at Albany Medical Center and faculty at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, explores the dosing, safety, and clinical applications of hydroxychloroquine.

Jessica Farrell explains the weight-based dosing strategy (5 mg/kg/day) to minimize the risk of retinal toxicity, discusses its crucial role in lupus management, and highlights its use during pregnancy, particularly in patients with anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies to help prevent neonatal heart block. She also shares...

In this FAQ Video Module, Christy Vath, PA-C, a seasoned rheumatology expert from Seattle Rheumatology Associates, explores how the selectivity of TYK2 and JAK enzyme inhibition impacts safety profiles. She provides a clear comparison between traditional pan-JAK inhibitors and selective TYK2 inhibitors like deucravacitinib, highlighting their differing mechanisms of action and clinical implications.

Christy breaks down how TYK2’s selective inhibition of the pseudokinase domain—versus the broader catalytic inhibition seen with JAK1, JAK2, and JAK3—can reduce risks associated with immunosuppression, such as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), malignancy, and thrombosis. She reviews safety findings from pivota...

Join Monica Richey, NP, with 20+ years of experience in Rheumatology, as she breaks down the latest 2024 ACR guidelines for monitoring lupus nephritis. Learn the best practices for urine testing, protein-creatinine ratios, and medication adjustments to ensure optimal patient care.

She emphasizes the importance of regular urine tests, protein-creatinine ratio checks, and full blood panels to track disease progression and adjust treatment as needed. Monitoring should be done at every visit, especially after starting new medications, with particular attention to trends in protein levels to guide treatment decisions. Additionally, Monica highlights the critical role of medication adherence, noting...

Join Audrey Gibson, PA-C, a seasoned rheumatology provider at the Arthritis Center of North Georgia with 18 years of clinical experience, as she explores the question: Can patients recapture their response to IL-17 inhibitor therapy after an interruption or discontinuation?

In this discussion, Audrey reviews key findings from a pivotal clinical trial by Landewé et al., which examined the recapture and retreatment rates of Ixekizumab in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) after therapy withdrawal. The randomized, placebo-controlled study followed 155 patients with axSpA who achieved remission and were either continued on Ixekizumab or switched to placebo.

Key results from t...

In this expert-led video, Stacey Johnson, NP-C, from the Montana Arthritis Center, breaks down the 2024 ACR Guidelines for Lupus Nephritis and highlights key treatment strategies—including hydroxychloroquine dosing, steroid pulse and taper regimens, and the role of triple therapy. Learn how to tailor treatment for Class III, IV, and V Lupus Nephritis using combinations like mycophenolate, belimumab, calcineurin inhibitors, and low-dose cyclophosphamide.

These updated recommendations emphasize precision and safety, focusing on minimizing steroid exposure while maximizing disease control through multi-targeted immune therapy.

For more rheumatology insights and clinical updates, visit the Content Rh...

Join Iris Zink, a rheumatology nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience, as she explores the safety profile of TYK2 inhibitors, with a focus on deucravacitinib—an oral, first-in-class selective TYK2 inhibitor. In this video, Iris reviews key findings from a February 2025 expert consensus published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, where 10 leading dermatologists across the U.S. assessed the safety of deucravacitinib for the treatment of psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The panel concluded that deucravacitinib has a strong safety profile, demonstrating greater efficacy than apremilast at 16 weeks, with continued improvement through 24 weeks and sustained benefits ov...

Join Danielle Gatti Palumbo, Clinical Pharmacist at Northwell Health Division of Rheumatology, as she presents an integrated analysis of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of voclosporin in the treatment of lupus nephritis. Drawing from the AURA-LV and AURORA-1 trials—two of the largest lupus nephritis studies conducted to date—this update highlights voclosporin’s unique role as a novel calcineurin inhibitor that does not require routine therapeutic drug monitoring. The analysis demonstrates voclosporin’s ability to increase complete renal response by over 20% at one year, significantly reduce proteinuria in a shorter timeframe (29 days vs. 58 days), and deliver consiste...

In this video, Iris Zink, rheumatology nurse practitioner and clinic owner in East Lansing, Michigan, breaks down the mechanism of action of deucravacitinib, a first-in-class oral selective TYK2 inhibitor, and explains its role in managing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. With over 25 years of experience serving underserved populations, Iris uses memorable analogies to simplify the complex TYK2/STAT signaling pathway and help you understand the immunologic rationale behind TYK2-directed therapy.

Learn how TYK2 selectively mediates cytokines like IL-12, IL-23, and Type I Interferons, and why allos­teric inhibition at the regulatory domain reduces off-target effects compared to t...

In this episode of RhAPPcast, host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, is joined by Monica Richey, NP, and Danielle Gatti-Palumbo, PharmD, for a practical and engaging discussion on how to apply the 2023 ACR guidelines for lupus nephritis to real-world clinical practice. Together, they walk through a complex patient case, highlighting key decision points including when to order a kidney biopsy, how to interpret proteinuria and complement levels, and how to initiate and escalate treatment. The episode covers critical guidance on balancing disease control with long-term safety—especially in patients considering pregnancy—and offers insight into medication adherence strategies, monitoring protocols for agen...

Join Cassie Dolecki, PharmD, a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Rheumatology at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as she explores the real-world effectiveness of Guselkumab in the management of psoriatic arthritis.

This discussion highlights recent findings from the CorEvitas Psoriatic Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis Registry, which assessed six-month persistence and effectiveness rates in adult PsA patients. The study revealed that nearly 80% of patients continued Guselkumab treatment over six months, experiencing significant improvements in disease activity, including joint symptoms, skin manifestations, and patient-reported pain.

Cassie also examines how these findings align with phase three clinical trial data...

Join Iris Zink, a seasoned rheumatology nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience, as she explains the TYK2/STAT signaling pathway and the immunologic rationale behind TYK2-directed therapy for treating psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. This video breaks down how TYK2 inhibitors—like deucravacitinib—selectively target the regulatory domain of the TYK2 enzyme, distinguishing them from traditional JAK inhibitors and minimizing off-target effects.

You'll learn how TYK2 plays a critical role in mediating pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12, IL-23, and type I interferons, all of which contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Iris uses vivid analogies to s...

Join Amanda Mixon, PA-C, President of RhAPP, as she hosts an insightful discussion with Will Saalfeld, NP, a leading rheumatology expert and RhAPP faculty member. In this episode, they break down the key differences between IL-17A and IL-17F inhibition and explore how these distinctions impact patient outcomes in rheumatology.

IL-17A and IL-17F play central roles in inflammation and autoimmune disease, but their unique functions mean that blocking them can yield different clinical effects. Will explains the pathophysiology of these cytokines, their impact on diseases like psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis, and how emerging...

In this video, Jessica Farrell, PharmD—clinical pharmacist at Albany Medical Center and professor at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences—explains the clinically meaningful differences between voclosporin and other calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, in the treatment of lupus nephritis. She highlights how voclosporin’s unique molecular structure leads to increased potency, faster elimination, and more stable pharmacokinetics. Unlike other calcineurin inhibitors, voclosporin offers more consistent oral bioavailability and does not require routine therapeutic drug monitoring. Dr. Farrell also reviews important distinctions in drug-drug interactions, particularly with mycophenolate, and notes that voclosporin may present a lower...

In this educational session, Jessica Farrell, PharmD, from Albany Medical Center and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, provides key clinical pearls on Leflunomide, a lesser-discussed DMARD (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug) used in rheumatology. While not frequently prescribed for new patients, many individuals remain on Leflunomide long-term, making it essential to understand its pharmacokinetics, potential toxicities, and considerations for special populations.

A unique aspect of Leflunomide is its enterohepatic recycling, which allows its active metabolite to persist in the body for an extended period—even years after discontinuation. In cases of toxicity (such as liver enzyme elevations or...

Welcome to RhAPPcast, the official podcast of Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP). In this episode, host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, kicks off a three-part series exploring some of the most impactful updates in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from the 2024 ACR Convergence meeting. Joining Amanda is Daric Mueller, PA-C, who shares expert insights on emerging therapies, including zazocitinib (TAK-279), a selective TYK2 inhibitor showing promising results in both joint and skin outcomes for PsA.

Together, Amanda and Daric review key data from several abstracts—highlighting oral treatment options, the significance of dosage on efficacy, and the potential advantages of TYK2 in...

Welcome back to RhAPPcast, the official podcast of Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers. In Part 2 of our Psoriatic Arthritis ACR wrap-up series, host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, and guest Daric Mueller, PA-C, explore new data from ACR Convergence 2024 that could change how we think about long-term outcomes in PsA care.

In this episode, we examine two important abstracts with major clinical implications:

Does smoking impact biologic drug retention in PsA? Daric dives into a large European cohort study evaluating how smoking and BMI affect the durability of secukinumab, revealing a notable link between smoking...

Welcome back to RhAPPcast, the official podcast of Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP). In the final episode of our three-part series covering highlights from ACR Convergence 2024, host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, is joined once again by Daric Mueller, PA-C, to explore two more important abstracts shaping the future of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) care. This episode dives into new insights on treatment response and real-world outcomes that may help inform clinical decision-making.

First, Daric breaks down a post-hoc analysis from the SPIRIT-H2H trial, comparing ixekizumab vs adalimumab in PsA patients with nail disease. The data suggest that nail...

In this episode of RhAPPcast, Amanda Mixon, PA-C, President of RhAPP, sits down with Kyle George, PA-C, to explore the real-world impact of Guselkumab in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) management. As a leading IL-23 inhibitor, Guselkumab offers durable efficacy, strong persistence, and a favorable safety profile, making it a key option for biologic-naïve patients and those with TNF inhibitor failure.

Clinical trials like VOYAGE, NAVIGATE, ECLIPSE, and DISCOVER highlight its effectiveness in improving joint and skin symptoms, while real-world data from the CorEvitas PsA and SpA Registry shows 72% of patients remain on Guselkumab after 12 months, compared to j...

Learn about the safety profile and monitoring requirements of voclosporin for lupus nephritis with Jessica Farrell, PharmD, an experienced rheumatology pharmacist and faculty member at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. In this video, Jessica Farrell explains what makes voclosporin—a second-generation calcineurin inhibitor—unique, including its increased potency, improved pharmacokinetic profile, and reduced need for therapeutic drug level monitoring compared to cyclosporine.

Jessica Farrell discusses key considerations before initiating voclosporin in patients with lupus nephritis, such as baseline eGFR, blood pressure, and ongoing laboratory assessments. Discover the recommended monitoring schedule for renal function, urine prot...

Join Danielle Gatti Palumbo, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist, RhAPP faculty member, and RhAPP Board member, as she breaks down a network meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy of biologics with and without methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This insightful journal club discussion highlights key findings on whether MTX is necessary as background therapy when initiating biologics.

Methotrexate, while commonly used in PsA treatment, is not FDA-approved for PsA in the U.S., yet it is often required by insurance companies before biologic therapy. Clinical guidelines, including EULAR, ACR, and GRAPPA, recommend MTX for peripheral arthritis...

Join Jessica Farrell, PharmD, professor at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and clinical pharmacist at Albany Medical Center, as she breaks down the pivotal AURORA 1 and AURORA 2 clinical trials evaluating voclosporin for lupus nephritis. Learn how this second-generation calcineurin inhibitor demonstrated superior renal outcomes, including higher complete and partial renal response rates and faster time to improvement compared to placebo.

Jessica discusses the long-term safety and efficacy findings from AURORA 2, highlighting the sustained renal benefits, lower risk of renal flares, and the drug’s manageable safety profile over three years of treatment. She also ad...

Join Danielle Gatti Palumbo, Clinical Pharmacist at Northwell Health’s Division of Rheumatology in Long Island, New York, as she provides a comprehensive review of Voclosporin (Lupkynis), an FDA-approved calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) for the treatment of lupus nephritis. This discussion is essential for healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and patients seeking a deeper understanding of how Voclosporin enhances lupus nephritis management while optimizing safety and efficacy.

Voclosporin is a next-generation calcineurin inhibitor that works by inhibiting T-cell activation, reducing the inflammatory response that leads to kidney damage in lupus nephritis. Unlike traditional CNIs like cyclosporine and tacrolimus, Voclosporin features a...

In this expert breakdown, Cassie Dolecki, PharmD, a clinical pharmacy specialist in rheumatology at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, discusses the effectiveness of Guselkumab across the GRAPPA domains, drawing insights from the DISCOVER-2 trial and additional post-hoc analyses.

As a phase 3 clinical trial, DISCOVER-2 evaluated Guselkumab in biologic-naïve patients with active PsA over two years, comparing 100 mg every 4 weeks and 100 mg every 8 weeks to placebo. At week 24, significantly more patients on Guselkumab achieved ACR20 response rates, demonstrating its superior ability to control inflammation and joint symptoms.

A post-hoc analysis of DISCOVER-2 stratified patient r...

In this expert discussion, Katie Springer, PA-C, a rheumatology specialist with Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, explores the effectiveness of IL-17 inhibitors in managing the nail-DIP complex in psoriatic arthritis. Nail involvement in PsA is more than just a cosmetic concern—it is strongly linked to DIP joint disease and systemic enthesitis. The nail itself is now understood to be an enthesial site, which means nail disease in psoriasis can be a precursor to psoriatic arthritis. Patients often experience nail changes such as oil spots, pitting, and onycholysis, the latter of which can be misdiagnosed as a fungal infection. Th...

In this video, Lisa Asfahani, PA-C, shares clinical insights on the evolving role of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN), as outlined in the new 2024 ACR Guidelines. With over 11 years of experience in rheumatology at a private practice in Temecula, California, Lisa walks through the mechanism of action of CNIs—including how they inhibit IL-2 production by binding to cytoplasmic receptors like immunophilins, ultimately suppressing T-cell activity.

She discusses common CNIs used in clinical practice, such as tacrolimus, cyclosporine, and the newer agent voclosporin. Voclosporin, in particular, is highlighted for its role in tr...

In this essential episode of RhAPPcast, the official podcast of Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers, host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, is joined by lupus expert and RhAPP faculty member Monica Richey, NP, to discuss the latest ACR guidelines for lupus nephritis and what they mean for advanced practice providers (APPs). Together, they explore how these updated recommendations mark a significant shift in treatment—highlighting triple immunosuppressive therapy as a first-line approach and placing greater emphasis on early diagnosis, kidney preservation, and minimizing steroid exposure. Monica shares her real-world strategies for implementing guideline-driven care, including when to order a kidney biopsy, how to...

Join Audrey Gibson, PA-C, from the Arthritis Center of North Georgia, as she explores the latest clinical comparisons between IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors in managing moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

The ECLIPSE trial, published in The Lancet, compared Guselkumab (IL-23 inhibitor) vs. Secukinumab (IL-17 inhibitor) over 48 weeks. Guselkumab showed superior long-term efficacy, with 84% of patients achieving PASI 90 (90% skin clearance) compared to 70% with Secukinumab, both with similar safety profiles.

The EXCEED trial compared Ixekizumab (IL-17) and Guselkumab (IL-23) over 24 weeks. Ixekizumab provided a faster onset of symptom relief, particularly in nail psoriasis, while...

Join Jessica Farrell, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at Albany Med’s Division of Dermatology and professor at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, as she explores a key head-to-head clinical trial comparing Ixekizumab (IL-17 inhibitor) vs. Guselkumab (IL-23 inhibitor) for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. This British Journal of Dermatology study, published in December 2019, provides essential insights into efficacy, safety, and speed of response, making it a valuable resource for healthcare providers treating psoriasis.

The study focused on patients with significant psoriasis severity, defined by Static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) scores of 3 or higher, Psoriasis Area and Severity In...

Join Danielle Gatti Palumbo, Clinical Pharmacist at Northwell Health's Division of Rheumatology in Long Island, New York, as she provides an in-depth breakdown of the mechanism of action of Voclosporin (Lupkynis), a next-generation calcineurin inhibitor used in the treatment of lupus nephritis and other autoimmune diseases.

Voclosporin plays a critical role in immune modulation by inhibiting calcineurin, a key enzyme responsible for activating T-cells. By blocking calcineurin activity, Voclosporin prevents the dephosphorylation of NFAT (Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells), which is necessary for IL-2 transcription. This disruption reduces IL-2 production, lymphocyte proliferation, and surface antigen expression, ultimately...

The 2024 ACR guidelines introduce important updates for the screening, treatment, and monitoring of lupus nephritis, with a focus on preserving renal function, reducing chronic kidney disease morbidity, and minimizing medication-related toxicities. In this video, Lisa Asfahani, PA-C, a rheumatology expert with over 11 years of experience, breaks down these new recommendations.

She discusses the importance of screening all lupus patients every 6 to 12 months, as 30-50% of SLE patients eventually develop lupus nephritis. The updated guidelines recommend renal biopsy for patients with significant proteinuria or unexplained impaired renal function. For Class 3 and Class 4 lupus nephritis, a triple immunosuppressive regimen...

Join Amber Hudgins, PharmD, a pharmacist specializing in rheumatology and specialty pharmacy at Novant Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as she provides a concise yet insightful review of the long-term safety of Guselkumab in patients with psoriatic disease, including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

This discussion highlights a comprehensive integrated analysis of 11 Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical studies, which pooled over 10,000 patient-years of follow-up data. The results reinforce Guselkumab’s favorable safety profile, demonstrating low rates of severe adverse events, infections, and malignancies, which remained consistent across diverse patient subgroups. Furthermore, adverse event rates during treatment were comparable to th...

Join Danielle Gatti Palumbo, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist and RhAPP Board member, alongside Monica Richey, NP, a renowned rheumatology specialist and educator, as they discuss a challenging and unexpected clinical case live from the RhAPP National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

This special RhAPPcast episode explores a real-world scenario of a patient who unexpectedly became pregnant while on leflunomide, highlighting the complexities of medication management in autoimmune diseases. Monica shares her initial reaction, the steps taken to initiate the cholestyramine washout protocol, and the multidisciplinary approach needed to ensure both maternal and fetal safety.

Danielle provides...

Stacey Johnson, NP, a rheumatology specialist at Montana Arthritis Center, discusses key updates in the 2024 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines for lupus nephritis, with a strong emphasis on minimizing glucocorticoid exposure to prevent long-term complications.

The updated guidelines focus on achieving a daily glucocorticoid dose of 5 mg or less within six months of initiating therapy. This approach aims to reduce steroid-related adverse effects such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular risks, and metabolic disturbances while maintaining disease control. To achieve this, clinicians must closely monitor disease activity and tailor tapering strategies to each patient’s individual needs.

Join Katie Springer, PA-C, a rheumatology specialist at Northwestern Medicine in Lake Forest, Illinois, as she dives into critical tools for measuring disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and how they shape treatment strategies for improved patient outcomes.

Accurate assessment of PsA requires disease-specific tools beyond traditional rheumatoid arthritis (RA) measures. The Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score evaluates joint inflammation using tender and swollen joint counts, CRP levels, and patient-reported assessments. The clinical DAPSA (cDAPSA), an alternative version, removes CRP from the calculation, offering another method to track disease progression.

For a comprehensive...