Title:The Psoriatic Arthritis Experience in Saudi Arabia from the Rheumatologist
and Patient Perspectives
Volume: 19
Issue: 4
Author(s): Ibrahim Alhomood*, Mohamed Fatani, Mohamed Bedaiwi, Sahar Al Natour, Alper Erdogan, Aya Alsharafi and Suzan Attar
Affiliation:
- Medical Specialities Department, King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), P.O. Box 59046, Riyadh, 11525, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Keywords:
Psoriatic arthritis, patient perspectives, disease management, rheumatologists, survey, PsA treatment.
Abstract:
Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a musculoskeletal disease that adversely affects
physical mobility and quality of life. It is challenging to manage because of the heterogeneous
nature of the symptoms and the current treatment options.
Purpose: To explore the patient and rheumatologist perspectives of PsA to help improve understanding
of the disease experience and improve disease management.
Methods: A descriptive, observational cross-sectional study of Saudi Arabian dermatologists and
rheumatologists and patients with psoriasis or PsA was conducted. Questionnaire data were collected
from 31 dermatologists, 34 rheumatologists, 90 patients with psoriasis, and 98 patients with PsA
and analysed using descriptive statistics. Here, data from rheumatologists and patients with PsA are
presented.
Results: The results revealed similarities and differences in the rheumatologist and patient perspectives
of PsA. Rheumatologists and patients agreed on the impact that PsA had on patients’ quality of
life and that more education was needed. However, they differed on several aspects of disease management.
Rheumatologists estimated the time to diagnosis as four times shorter than what patients
experienced. Patients accepted their diagnosis more than rheumatologists perceived them to; rheumatologists
perceived patients to be worried or fearful. Patients perceived joint pain as their most
severe symptom, in contrast to rheumatologists, who presumed skin appearance was the most severe
symptom. Reported input into PsA treatment goals differed significantly. More than half of the
rheumatologists reported equal patient-physician input into goal development as opposed to <10%
of patients reporting the same. Almost half of patients reported no input into the development of
their treatment goals.
Conclusion: The management of PsA could benefit from enhanced screening and re-evaluation of
what PsA outcomes have the most value to patients and rheumatologists. A multidisciplinary
approach is recommended with increased patient involvement in disease management and individualized
treatment options.
