Validation studies are planned
Even though psoriasis patients in IPART represents one of the largest cohorts of prospectively collected psoriasis patients, Dr. Eder acknowledged that the sample size would be considered “moderate” for developing a predictive model. However, the fact that the data were collected prospectively using standardized methodology strengthens the findings and provides the basis for the next step.
“Validation studies are planned with external cohorts,” said Dr. Eder, who indicated that a viable tool for identifying psoriasis patients at risk for PsA is likely. Even if it is not employed routinely in its current form at the level of individual patient care, she predicted that it will have value at a research level for understanding the relationship of psoriasis to PsA.
Dr. Christopher T. Ritchlin
Christopher T. Ritchlin, MD, a professor and researcher at the University of Rochester (N.Y.), agreed that PRESTO has important potential as a clinical tool. Dr. Ritchlin has been involved in the development of PRESTO but was not involved in the presentation made at the CRA annual meeting.
“The PRESTO tool has the ability to predict the 2- and 5-year risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, which is an important advance if confirmed,” he said in an interview. He pointed out that approximately 25%-30% who develop psoriasis will go on to develop PsA but until now there has been no way to identify them.
“This tool may provide a pathway to early intervention,” he said.
Dr. Eder has financial relationships with AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Fresenius Kabi, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, and UCB. Dr. Ritchlin has financial relationships with many of the same companies.