Diagnostic markers for psoriatic inflammation

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    IL-36 as early diagnostic marker for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis subtypes

  • IRAS ID

    163520

  • Contact name

    Miriam Wittmann

  • Contact email

    M.Wittmann@leeds.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    The University of Leeds

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 6 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    A substantial number of patients with psoriatic inflammation can be difficult to diagnose and thus suffer from treatment delay. This applies to inverse-, pustular- and psoriasis confined to hands/feet and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). A skin biopsy for diagnosis is invasive and usually not performed outside dermatology departments. With regard to PsA, a specific, reliable diagnostic marker does not exist. However, early treatment is important to prevent permanent damage to the affected joints. As skin symptoms are of key diagnostic importance for the rheumatologists it would be of value to have a non-invasive technique available to ascertain psoriatic inflammatory responses even in non-lesional skin.

    We have convincing biopsy data showing that IL-36 is an excellent diagnostic marker for plaque psoriasis. It is the aim of this study to validate epidermal IL-36 detected in adhesive tapes or washing fluid derived from lesional or non-lesional skin as diagnostic marker for the psoriatic disease spectrum. Clinical material from different subtypes of psoriasis will be obtained from large dermatology and rheumatology cohorts along with appropriate controls (for lesional skin: eczema, fungal infection, neutrophilic inflammation; for non-lesional skin: rheumatoid arthritis). A pilot study enrolling difficult to diagnose PsA patients will be performed to ascertain the diagnostic potential of epidermal IL-36 for seronegative arthritis.

    Early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic inflammation is important to the patient, their family and society. We are confident that the proposed project has the potential to largely improve early diagnostic in the above mentioned disease subtypes.

  • REC name

    North East - York Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/NE/1199

  • Date of REC Opinion

    30 Oct 2014

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion