Complete regular ultrasound scans to guide your psoriatic arthritis treatment

Recruiting

What is this trial?

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in joints, tendons, and skin—but much of that inflammation can't be seen during a regular doctor's exam. This trial is testing whether using ultrasound and MRI scans to detect hidden inflammation and guide treatment decisions leads to better outcomes than the standard approach of relying mainly on what a doctor can see and feel during an exam.

Doctors currently treat psoriatic arthritis based on what they can observe clinically, but imaging like ultrasound and MRI can reveal inflammation that isn't obvious on physical examination. This trial is asking whether using these imaging tools to guide treatment could help more patients achieve sustained remission and better quality of life.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years of age or older
you have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and meet the diagnostic criteria (CASPAR criteria)
your doctor believes you need treatment with DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs)
you have tried at least two NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for at least 4 weeks total without adequate relief

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had arthritis for more than 1 year before enrolling
you have already received DMARD treatment for psoriatic arthritis
you have serious medical conditions such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe heart disease, severe infections, or certain cancers
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or unable to use adequate birth control during the study
you have active or untreated tuberculosis, severe kidney or liver disease, or low blood cell counts

What participation looks like

You would be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receives standard treatment guided by clinical exams alone, and the other receives treatment guided by both clinical exams and ultrasound imaging (at every visit) plus MRI scans of the spine and sacroiliac joints (at the start and at 1 year). All participants receive the same medications based on current treatment guidelines. You would visit the clinic at regular intervals over 24 months and be assessed for remission (very low disease activity) at months 16, 20, and 24.

Using ultrasound imaging to guide psoriatic arthritis treatment decisions

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(12 sites)