Medical researcher Michelle Mulder (Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen) conducted doctoral research to improve care for patients with psoriatic arthritis, which resulted in immediate improvements. She received her Ph.D. from Radboud University on 23 September.
It starts with the diagnosis. Mulder’s research shows that patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can most likely be distinguished from each other using machine learning and mapping of immune cell profiles. This can help in the early diagnosis of PsA in patients with psoriasis.
In addition, the study focused on monitoring the disease activity of PsA patients. Until recently, disease activity was measured in the same way as RA patients. The results of a tailor-made method focusing on PsA were found to be more reliable and comprehensive. This new measurement method was immediately applied in the patient care of the Sint Maartenskliniek.
Another important discovery concerns drug treatment. Combined treatment with leflunomide and methotrexate was much more effective than treatment with methotrexate alone. Unfortunately, an increase in side effects has been observed. However, the Nijmegen graduate student concludes that a combination of the aforementioned drugs could be a viable therapeutic option.
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