Chronic kidney disease in psoriatic arthritis patients elevates joint damage and NSAIDs use: Study

A comprehensive study published in the journal of BMJ Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Diseases focused on the prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and found important outcomes that could impact treatment and management strategies. 

This research was conducted on a large group of 1,336 patients results and revealed that 123 individuals, accounting for 9.2% of the total study group, were diagnosed with CKD. Also, 20.3% of these patients already had CKD at the time of clinic entry, while the remaining 79.7% developed the condition during a median follow-up period of 8.2 years. This substantial duration brought out the chronic nature of kidney complications associated with PsA and emphasized the need for vigilant long-term monitoring of renal health in these patients.

The progression of kidney damage was also documented, with 18.3% of patients who developed CKD experiencing a doubling of their baseline creatinine levels. Also, half of these patients saw a sustained reduction of 40% or more in their baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), indicating significant impairment of kidney function. 2 patients progressed to severe CKD, with an eGFR dropping below 15 mL/min/1.73 m², a level often associated with the need for dialysis or other intensive interventions.