Diagnosis and therapeutic management of psoriatic arthritis: summary of 2024 update of the Spanish clinical practice guideline (ESPOGUIA)

Abstract

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disease affecting peripheral and axial joints, entheses, skin, and nails, requiring coordinated multidisciplinary management. Since the 2018 edition of ESPOGUÍA, significant advances-including the availability of IL-17A/F, IL-23, and JAK inhibitors, as well as emerging evidence regarding axial PsA-have prompted the need for an updated guideline. The 2024 ESPOGUÍA provides evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of PsA, integrating multidisciplinary collaboration, active nursing participation, lifestyle counseling, and specific considerations for axial disease. A panel comprising rheumatologists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, ophthalmologists, nurses, methodologists, and patient representatives formulated clinical questions using the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcomes (PICO) framework. Systematic literature reviews were performed, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was applied to critically assess the quality of evidence and guide the formulation of recommendations. The guideline emphasizes early intervention and the appropriate use of conventional synthetic DMARDs, biologic therapies, and JAK inhibitors across different disease domains, including the management of extra-musculoskeletal manifestations. Lifestyle measures, such as smoking cessation and weight management, are highlighted due to their demonstrated impact on disease activity and long-term outcomes. The essential role of specialized rheumatology nurses in patient education, treatment adherence, and counseling on modifiable risk factors is also underscored. ESPOGUÍA 2024 provides a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and patient-centered framework for PsA management, including axial involvement, and identifies persistent gaps in early diagnosis, biomarker development, and long-term outcomes, thereby outlining priorities for future research.