Defining Difficult-to-Treat and Complex-to-Manage Psoriatic Arthritis

About this episode

This episode discusses the definitions and challenges of difficult-to-treat and complex-to-manage psoriatic arthritis.

In this compelling episode of Inside GRAPPA , host Dr. Hanna Johnsson, a rheumatologist based in Scotland, leads an important conversation on one of the most pressing issues in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) care: what truly makes a case difficult to treat or complex to manage ? Dr. Johnsson is joined by two experts deeply embedded in the GRAPPA initiative to define these concepts: Dr. Fabian Proft, Head of the Division of Rheumatology at Charité Berlin, Germany, and long-time GRAPPA contributor. Dr. Shikha Singla, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, who brings firsthand experience from her combined rheum-derm clinic. Together, they unpack the background, progress, and patient-centered approach of the Difficult-to-Treat (D2T) and Complex-to-Manage PsA Project . ✅ Highlights Clearer definitions aim to improve care for patients with persistent symptoms despite treatment “Difficult to treat” focuses on ongoing inflammation; “complex to manage” accounts for non-inflammatory factors A global literature review revealed inconsistent criteria in defining treatment challenges Surveys of clinicians and patients shaped a more inclusive, consensus-driven framework…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Hanna Johnsson

Guests: Dr. Fabian Proft, Dr. Shikha Singla

Topics covered

• psoriatic arthritis
• difficult-to-treat
• complex-to-manage
• patient care
• rheumatology
• treatment challenges

Keywords

• psoriatic arthritis
• Difficult-to-Treat
• Complex-to-Manage
• treatment failure
• rheumatology
• patient-centered care
• EULAR
• clinical surveys

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: GRAPPA, Charité Berlin, Medical College of Wisconsin

Places: Scotland, Germany

More episodes of Inside GRAPPA

• Body Composition & Risk in Psoriatic Disease · April 8, 2026 · 18 min
• Guiding GRAPPA Forward: GRAPPA’s Co-Presidents in Conversation · December 29, 2025 · 15 min
• Sleep and PsA: Exploring the Hidden Connection · November 7, 2025 · 20 min
• Shaping the Future: Young GRAPPA Leaders on Mentorship, Collaboration, and Growth · October 14, 2025 · 20 min
• Patient Research Partners: Elevating Research Through Patient Perspectives · June 12, 2025 · 13 min
• Exploring Sex Differences in Psoriatic Arthritis: Biomarkers and Beyond · May 1, 2025 · 22 min