Background Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a common form of chronic arthritis strongly associated with the skin disease psoriasis. The gender distribution is considered equal but it is suggested that their might be gender related differences in disease expression, disease activity and outcome. The BEPAS cohort (Belgian Epidemiological Psoriatic Arthritis Study) is a large prospective multicenter real life cohort set up in 17 Belgian large academic and non academic rheumatology practices that offers a unique opportunity to study the disease patterns with their respective articular and skin involvement in this patient group

Objectives (1) To assess gender-related differences in disease patterns and articular manifestations of psoriatic arthritis

Methods A cross-sectional analysis at the inclusion visit was performed among the male and female patients included in the BEPAS cohort. They were evaluated for the demographics, the disease patterns at diagnosis and the presence of clinical articular and extra–articular manifestations at inclusion. Gender differences were evaluated by one way ANOVA or Chi –square testing.

Results 461 patients including 263 male patients and 198 female patients with mean age: 52.79 years (±12.29) were recruited in the 17 centers from December 2012 to July 2014.There was no gender difference in rheumatoid factor, anti–CCP and extra-articular manifestations such as uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease

Conclusions The disease patterns and clinical manifestations differ in several aspects between male and female PsA. They have a different clinical articular presentation at diagnosis: male patients have more polyarticular disease while female patients have more entheseal disease. Skin involvement is comparable except for male patients having more nail involvement. These differences might have impact on the disease evolution, severity and treatment decisions.

Disclosure of Interest K. De Vlam: None declared, R. Lories Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, S. Steinfeld Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, F. Van Den Bosch Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, A. Nzeusseu Toukap Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, M. Malaise Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, V. Taelman Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, F. Van Bruwaene Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, M. Van Den Berghe Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, J. Lenaerts Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, R. Joos Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, P. Geusens Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, S. Dall'Armellina Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, I. Peene Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, G. De Brabanter Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, M. Van Den Berghe Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, J. QU Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, M. Maertens Grant/research support from: MSD Belgium, H. Leroi Employee of: MSD Belgium