The association between IL17, fatigue and quality of life in psoriatic arthritis patients.

Background

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition. It impacts patients both physically and psychologically. Fatigue may be an early symptom of PsA, which impairs quality of life.

Objectives

To assess serum IL-17, fatigue, quality of life and function impairment in PsA patients and to correlate them with clinical disease activity.

Methods

80 consecutive PsA patients were included. Fatigue assessed by Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue. Quality of life assessed by Psoriatic Arthritis Quality of Life. Functional capacity assessed by health assessment questionnaire. Disease activity assessed by Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis. Serum IL-17 measured by ELISA.

Results

There was significant difference in FACIT-F, PsAQOL, and HAQ (p<0.001) in different disease activity subgroups. There was statistically significant correlation of disease duration with disease activity, fatigue, reduced function capacity, and quality of life impairment (p≤0.05), while no correlation with the patients' age. There was statistically significant correlation between FACIT-F, PsAQOL, HAQ, and DAPSA scores (p<0.001). Serum IL-17 was significantly correlated with clinical parameters of disease activity, fatigue, function, and quality of life impairment (p≤0.05).

Conclusion

Fatigue is a common clinical symptom in psoriatic arthritis patients. It is significantly associated with IL17, quality of life, functional impairment and disease activity.