Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Fulfilling the Minimal Disease Activity Criteria Do Not Have Swollen and Tender Joints, but Have Active Skin

Objective. To evaluate components of the minimal disease activity (MDA) criteria in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods. In patients achieving and not achieving MDA, fulfillment of each of the 7 criteria was evaluated. Results. Among 41 patients with MDA, 7.4% did not fulfill the tender/swollen joint count whereas 49% did not fulfill the skin criteria. Of the 42 patients not fulfilling MDA, 100%, 76.5%, and 65% did not fulfill the patient pain score, the patient’s global assessment, and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), respectively. Conclusion. A minority of patients with PsA fulfilling the MDA criteria presented active joints, but half had active skin. Visual analog scale scores and the PASI prevented patients from achieving MDA.