Toward precision in psoriatic arthritis: addressing the challenge of difficult-to-treat disease.

Abstract

Introduction: Difficult-to-treat psoriatic arthritis (D2T-PsA) is increasingly recognized as a complex clinical entity characterized by persistent disease burden despite multiple targeted therapies. Its identification is essential to improve patient outcomes and to guide the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Areas covered: In this perspective article, we discuss the evolving concept of D2T-PsA, including its epidemiology, clinical characterization, and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. We highlight the role of gender differences, psychosocial comorbidities, and central sensitization in shaping disease persistence and patient-reported impact. We also examine the limitations of current disease activity indices (DAPSA, PsAID, PASDAS) in capturing heterogeneity and the need for multidimensional frameworks. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases (January 2020-June 2025), restricted to English-language publications, using combinations of the terms psoriatic arthritis, difficult-to-treat, refractory, and difficult-to-manage. Additional references were identified from conference abstracts and relevant bibliographies.

Expert opinion: Recognizing D2T-PsA as a distinct, multifactorial entity is critical to advancing personalized medicine. Future directions will involve harmonizing EULAR and GRAPPA frameworks, integrating biomarker discovery, digital tools, and adaptive trial designs, and embedding patient perspectives. This multidimensional approach is expected to transform treatment from empirical cycling toward precision care in psoriatic arthritis.