Toward Harmonized Recommendations for Psoriatic Arthritis: A Comparative Viewpoint on Global Guidelines

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) guidelines aim to provide consistent, evidence-based recommendations. Multiple regional guidelines exist, often based on similar evidence but with different methodologies and contexts. Our aim was to compare recent PsA treatment guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology, Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, and Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology, identifying similarities, differences, and opportunities for global harmonization with regional adaptation. METHODS: Narrative comparative review of guideline documents published between 2018 and 2024 by major rheumatology societies was performed. Data on methodology, panel composition, treatment domains, pharmacologic recommendations, and update strategies were extracted and synthesized. RESULTS: Guidelines share core principles, including domain-based approaches, treat-to-target strategies, and the use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologics. Differences arise from methodological frameworks (eg, GRADE [Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation], domain-based, adolopment), stakeholder composition, and explicit consideration of regional drug access. CONCLUSION: A hybrid framework combining global core recommendations with modular regional adaptations may optimize resource use, improve guideline sustainability, and maintain local relevance. Living systematic reviews and artificial intelligence could support more timely updates.