Treatment in Patients with Psoriatic Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Seven Case Reports

Abstract

The incidence of psoriasis, an intractable long-lasting inflammatory skin disease, is increasing and has many complications and comorbidities. Approximately 14% of patients have psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not a rare disease worldwide, and some patients may have both PsA and RA. In the present study, we encountered seven patients with concurrent diagnoses of RA and psoriatic disease and reported the details of clinical data, treatment efficacy, and X-ray findings. The diagnosis may require not only classification criteria but also a comprehensive judgment in collaboration with rheumatology over time. In addition to methotrexate as an anchor drug, anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents are the first choice of biological agents for treatment, and interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors may be effective, as IL-17 is also involved in the pathogenesis of RA. When treating patients with both PsA and RA, it may be essential to consider the treatment strategy, depending on which disease is more active.