REVIEW

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in psoriatic arthritis: pathophysiology and treatment with TNF inhibitors

P J Mease

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Professor P J Mease, Seattle Rheumatology Associates, 1101 Madison St, Seattle, WA 98104, USA;
pmease{at}u.washington.edu

High levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF), have been detected in psoriatic skin lesions and joints of patients with the inflammatory disease. Early results of treatment of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis with TNF neutralising agents are encouraging, but whether these agents will be able to improve long term outcomes, such as disability, is not yet known.

Keywords: psoriatic arthritis; tumour necrosis factor

Abbreviations: DIP, distal interphalangeal; DMARDs, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs; IM, intramuscular; MTX, methotrexate; NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; PASI, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index; PsA, psoriatic arthritis; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SSZ, sulfasalazine; TNF, tumour necrosis factor

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