Introducing the Global Exploration of Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Assessment (EXPLORE-PsA): The First Young-GRAPPA Research Initiative.

Abstract

Despite international recommendations advocating for structured assessment of disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the routine use of outcome measures in clinical practice remains inconsistent. Barriers such as limited time, lack of training, and restricted access to resources may be contributing to this implementation gap. To address this, the Global Exploration of Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Assessment (EXPLORE-PsA) study aims to systematically evaluate how disease activity measures, including both composite and domain-specific tools, are used in PsA care across diverse global settings. This cross-sectional study will deploy a short English-language online survey targeting rheumatologists and allied health professionals involved in the assessment of people with PsA. Key objectives include the following: (1) characterizing the use of outcome measures in routine practice; (2) comparing usage patterns between academic and nonacademic settings; and (3) identifying perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation. Additional domains include preferences for digital vs paper-based tools, the inclusion of skin and nail assessments in rheumatology, the use of axial spondyloarthritis indices in axial PsA, and perspectives on treat-to-target strategies and patient-initiated follow-up. As the first research initiative led by the Young Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (Y-GRAPPA) network, EXPLORE-PsA not only aims to inform future strategies to enhance outcome assessment in PsA globally but also establishes a collaborative foundation for early career-led research in psoriatic disease. This study was presented at the GRAPPA 2025 annual meeting in Bogotá, Colombia.