A systematic review of published literature was performed to collect evidence of sex-specific differences in clinical characteristics, disease activity, and patient-reported outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which also included treatment response. The review yielded 3283 unique records and 31 publications of 27 unique studies. Women had higher rates of peripheral disease, tender joint counts, pain, and fatigue. Men had evidence of more axial disease and greater skin disease burden. Dermatology Life Quality Index scores were consistent. Women also had poorer treatment responses, as shown by outcome measures such as American College of Rheumatology responses as well as minimal disease activity. The findings suggest that there are differences between the sexes in PsA, and additional research should be performed to further define any clinical differences.
Reference: Coates LC, van der Horst-Bruinsma IE, Lubrano E, et al. Sex-Specific Differences in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review. J Rheumatol. 2023;50(4):488-496. doi:10.3899/jrheum.220386
