GENETIC ANALYSIS OF PSORIASIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. We know from previous studies that genes play an important role in determining who gets psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis. The purpose of this study is to understand the genetic basis of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. To accomplish this, we are looking for specific gene variants (alleles) that "run in families" with these conditions, or are found more often in cases (people with these conditions) than in controls (healthy people without either of these conditions). We will study patients with psoriatic arthritis, or subjects who have multiple family members who have psoriatic arthritis. We will also study patients with psoriasis but no arthritis. Because different patterns of psoriatic arthritis have been described, we will collect detailed information about arthritis to determine whether certain features associate with particular genetic patterns. Evaluation will include: collection of historical information about symptoms and diagnosis of arthritis and psoriasis, family history, and associated features that can accompany psoriatic arthritis; physical assessment of skin lesions and of arthritis; imaging studies of arthritis including x-rays of the lower spine and sacroiliac joints along with ultrasound examination of knees and ankles to find any abnormalities at the attachments of tendons and ligaments at these sites. From each subject we will take one blood sample for tests to characterize activity and type of arthritis and to provide the cells on which DNA studies will be done. No treatment for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis will be provided as part of this study.'