DNA Methylation Markers may predict Psoriatic Arthritis

Remarkably, the study discovered a set of 36 highly relevant DNA methylation markers across 15 genes and multiple intergenic regions. These markers exhibited a significant correlation with the development of PsA. The markers were selected based on their FDR-adjusted p-values lower than 0.05 and a minimum change in methylation of 0.05, indicating their robust potential as predictive indicators.

To further validate their findings, the researchers developed support vector machine classification models, incorporating the identified methylation markers alongside clinical variables. The classification model proved to be highly accurate, successfully distinguishing between patients who would eventually develop PsA and those who would not, achieving an impressive area under the ROC curve of 0.9644.

This study's implications are profound. By identifying specific DNA methylation markers at an early stage of psoriatic disease, medical professionals may be able to predict the onset of PsA and intervene with appropriate treatments to manage the condition effectively. Early diagnosis and intervention have the potential to alleviate patients' suffering and improve their quality of life significantly.

Source:

Cruz‐Correa, O. F., Pollock, R. A., Machhar, R., & Gladman, D. D. (2023). PREDICTION OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS USING DNA METHYLATION PROFILES. In Arthritis & Rheumatology. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.42654