In this special awards-edition episode of Inside GRAPPA, host Fabian Proft sits down with GRAPPA Co-Presidents Professor Joseph F. Merola and Professor Arthur Kavanaugh. Together they reflect on their first encounters with the organization, the origins and evolution of GRAPPA, and the collaborative culture that continues to shape psoriatic disease research worldwide.

Joe and Artie share candid stories from the early days of TNF inhibitor trials, discuss the growing impact of Young GRAPPA, highlight the essential role of patient partners, and look ahead to the next five years of scientific and clinical progress in psoriatic disease.

• Joe and Artie share how they first became involved with GRAPPA and what drew them into psoriatic disease research.  
• Artie reflects on GRAPPA’s early origins, shaped by global collaboration around the first TNF inhibitor studies.  
• GRAPPA’s culture remains defined by openness, interdisciplinary exchange, and highly approachable leadership.  
• Key unmet needs persist, including challenges in under-served psoriasis phenotypes and skin-to-joint progression.  
• Personalized medicine in PsA is still an unmet priority, despite major therapeutic advances.  
• GRAPPA’s future direction focuses on comorbidities, prevention, remission, and strengthening the next generation of leaders.  

• 00:00 - Welcome & introduction
• 00:52 - Joe's first encounter with GRAPPA
• 01:56 - Artie describes GRAPPA's origins and early collaborations
• 03:26 - What makes GRAPPA's culture unique
• 05:26 - The role of patient partners
• 07:56 - Why Joe and Artie stepped into co-presidency
• 09:52 - Current unmet needs in psoriatic disease
• 11:16 - Personalized medicine and future clinical direction
• 12:18 - GRAPPA's next five years
• 13:16 - How clinicians, researchers, and trainees can get involved

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In this episode of Inside GRAPPA, host Dr. Mio Nakamura (University of Michigan) speaks with Dr. Tina Bhutani-Jacques, MD, MAS, FAAD (Synergy Dermatology / University of California San Francisco) about her groundbreaking study on the role of sleep in psoriasis disease severity. Funded by the GRAPPA Pilot Research Grant, Dr. Bhutani-Jacques’s work is the first prospective cohort study to objectively examine sleep patterns in psoriasis patients.

💡 Together, they explore:

• How a patient’s unexpected experience sparked the idea to investigate sleep and psoriasis
• The design and findings of the pilot study using three nights of polysomnography in patients and healthy controls
• Early results showing reduced sleep efficiency, more awakenings, and nearly an hour less sleep per night among psoriasis patients
• The potential link between poor sleep, inflammation, and cardiovascular comorbidities
• Practical advice for clinicians on discussing sleep with psoriasis patients
• Next steps, including home-based sleep studies using wearables for more naturalistic data

🎧 Tune in for an engaging discussion that highlights how sleep—often overlooked—may be a key factor in understanding psoriatic disease and improving patient outcomes.

🔗 Learn more about GRAPPA’s research initiatives at grappanetwork.org.

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In this episode of Inside GRAPPA, host Dr. Hanna Johnsson spotlights the next generation of leaders in psoriatic disease research through a deep dive into the work of Young GRAPPA---a global, interdisciplinary network within GRAPPA, supporting early-career researchers and clinicians.

Joining the conversation are Dr. André L. Ribeiro (Chair, Young GRAPPA, Brazil) and Dr. Gizem Ayan (Chair-Elect, Young GRAPPA, Turkey), who share their personal journeys into leadership and reflect on how mentorship, collaboration, and international networking are transforming opportunities for early-career professionals.

💡 Together, they discuss:

• How Young GRAPPA has grown into a +200-member global network since 2021
• Projects driving impact, from the Slide Library and Do Not Miss newsletter to international webinars and surveys
• The power of mentorship, collaboration, and patient partnership in shaping research priorities
• Advice for early-career clinicians and researchers eager to get involved
• Dream collaborations and the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities early

🎧 Tune in for a conversation filled with practical advice, inspiration, and an open invitation to join Young GRAPPA in shaping the future of psoriatic disease care.

🔗 Learn more and apply to join Young GRAPPA at grappanetwork.org.

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In this special episode of Inside GRAPPA, we delve into the growing impact of the Patient Research Partner (PRP) Network—an essential part of GRAPPA’s mission to integrate the patient voice into scientific research on psoriatic disease.

Host Fabian Proft is joined by two influential PRPs: Maarten de Wit from the Netherlands and Suzanne Grieb* from the United States. Together, they explore the critical role of PRPs, the evolution of the network since its inception in 2013, and how these dedicated patient collaborators are shaping treatment guidelines, influencing steering committees, and helping recruit the next generation of partners.

What does it really mean to live the principle of “Nothing about us without us”? What kinds of challenges—and transformative insights—do patients bring to the research table? And what can researchers learn from patient partners about improving outcomes, communication, and the research agenda itself?

Listen in as we discuss:

• The origins and global growth of the PRP network
• Real-world experiences from PRPs living with psoriatic arthritis
• How patients are steering research priorities, not just participating in them
• Strategies for recruiting and onboarding new patient partners
• Where the network is headed—and how you might get involved

🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation that highlights how experiential knowledge and scientific expertise can—and must—work hand in hand.

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Stay tuned. Stay curious.

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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.

• 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
• New definitions to be presented at EULAR—marking a major milestone in PsA research

• 00:00 – Introduction to the episode and today’s topic
• 00:36 – Guest introductions: Dr. Fabian Proft and Dr. Shikha Singla
• 01:00 – Fabian on the need for better definitions and understanding treatment failure
• 04:12 – Defining the terms: inflammation vs. non-inflammatory drivers of disease burden
• 05:15 – Why “complex to manage” is more appropriate than “difficult patient”
• 06:00 – How terminology shapes perceptions and supports more empathetic care
• 06:42 – Scoping literature review: methods and inconsistencies in existing definitions
• 07:57 – Healthcare provider survey: over 200 responses, strong support for two definitions
• 09:12 – Patient survey: nearly 600 responses and insights into global experiences
• 10:21 – Patient-reported challenges: joint pain, fatigue, medication side effects
• 11:54 – Cultural and social factors influencing patient experience
• 12:39 – The Delphi process and achieving expert consensus
• 13:15 – Project milestones: EULAR submission and upcoming publications

• Explore the full scope of this initiative on the GRAPPA D2T PsA Project Page.

• Visit our Website for more information.

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How do biological sex differences shape the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA)? In this episode of Inside GRAPPA, Dr. Hanna Johnsson delves into groundbreaking research led by Steven Dang and Dr. Lihi Eder, supported by the GRAPPA Pilot Research Grant. Their study explores sex-related differences in PsA through proteomic analysis, uncovering unique biomarkers and pathways that could redefine personalized medicine for PsA patients.

• The rationale behind investigating sex-specific differences in PsA.  
• Insights into how immune and inflammatory profiles differ between males and females.  
• Key findings from proteomic studies, including pivotal proteins and pathways like NETosis, Rho GTPase, and cytokine signaling.  
• The potential for sex-specific biomarkers to guide diagnosis and treatment in PsA.

• Visit the GRAPPA Website for more research updates.  
• Subscribe to Inside GRAPPA wherever you get your podcasts to stay informed on the latest in PsA research.

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In this episode of Inside GRAPPA, Dr. Joel Gelfand joins host Mio Nakamura to discuss a groundbreaking pragmatic trial that may transform access to phototherapy. A long-standing GRAPPA member and trailblazer in dermatologic research, Dr. Gelfand shares insights from the "LITE Study," a patient-centered, nationwide trial comparing home-based vs. office-based phototherapy for psoriasis.

You'll hear:

   •   Why phototherapy remains a preferred treatment for many patients, even in the biologic era

   •   Surprising results comparing office phototherapy to adalimumab (a biologic) in previous trials

   •   How skin of color patients may benefit most from home phototherapy---and why

   •   Real-world barriers to accessing phototherapy and how the study tackled them head-on

   •   What's next: From research findings to implementation science and changing payer coverage

This episode is essential listening for dermatologists, rheumatologists, and researchers passionate about improving access and outcomes for patients with psoriatic disease. Tune in for a conversation that blends clinical science with patient advocacy---and may reshape the standard of care.

🧪 Learn more about PCORI's mission: pcori.org


📄 Stay tuned for the full publication of the LITE Study

💡 Want to get involved in pragmatic research? Dr. Gelfand shares how you can participate in studies like the CP3 trial—no research background required.

🎧 Subscribe to Inside GRAPPA for more deep dives into cutting-edge research on psoriatic disease.

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How does multimorbidity impact the progression from psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis? Can early identification of chronic conditions help prevent psoriatic arthritis in high-risk patients?

In this episode of Inside GRAPPA, host Dr. Mio Nakamura sits down with Dr. Paras Karmacharya, recipient of a GRAPPA Annual Pilot Research Grant. He presented his findings at the 2024 GRAPPA Annual Meeting in Seattle and shares his groundbreaking study with us on "Multimorbidity and Psoriasis as a Risk Factor for Psoriatic Arthritis." Dr. Karmacharya discusses his personal journey into psoriatic arthritis research, how his study leveraged the Rochester Epidemiology Project, and what the findings mean for the future of patient care. He also explores:  

✔️ What multimorbidity really means in psoriatic disease  

✔️ The connection between chronic conditions and psoriatic arthritis risk  

✔️ How his study design helped uncover key insights  

✔️ The clinical implications for screening, early intervention, and patient education

🔹 Multimorbidity matters: Patients with multiple chronic conditions at the time of psoriasis diagnosis had a significantly higher risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.  

🔹 Psychiatric and musculoskeletal disorders---such as anxiety, mood disorders, and fibromyalgia---were strongly associated with increased risk.  

🔹 A shift in clinical approach is needed: Multidisciplinary care models, early screening, and preventive strategies could improve patient outcomes.

📄 Learn more about GRAPPA's research initiatives: GRAPPA Website  

🎧 Listen & subscribe to Inside GRAPPA on your favorite podcast platform.

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What if we could predict psoriatic arthritis before it even begins? In this episode of Inside GRAPPA, host Dr. Hanna Johnsson is joined by Professors Oliver Fitzgerald and Steve Pennington to discuss the groundbreaking HIPPOCRATES Project. Funded by the Innovative Healthcare Initiative, this major European research effort is tackling the biggest challenges in psoriatic arthritis (PsA)—from early diagnosis to precision treatment.

With 27 partners across academia, industry, and patient organizations, HIPPOCRATES is at the forefront of multi omics research, integrating cutting-edge genomics, proteomics, and imaging technologies to revolutionize PsA care. But what are the biggest hurdles they’ve faced? And how close are they to real-world clinical impact?

🔑 Key Takeaways

• 📌 The four major unmet needs in psoriatic arthritis and how HIPPOCRATES is addressing them.
• 📌 How patient representatives are shaping the research and ensuring its relevance.
• 📌 The role of multi omics in predicting PsA progression and improving treatment response.
• 📌 Challenges of coordinating a massive international project and the unexpected roadblocks.
• 📌 Early findings and what they mean for the future of PsA diagnosis and treatment.

📢 Resources & Links

• 🔗 Learn more about the HIPPOCRATES Project

• 🔗 Follow GRAPPA: grappanetwork.org
• 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

💡 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review and let us know what topics you’d like to hear next!

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In this episode, host Dr. Fabian Proft explores the most impactful research and updates from the EADV 2024 Congress in Amsterdam. Joining him are distinguished Young GRAPPA members Dr. Dimitri Luz, Dr. Ahmet Uğur, and Dr. Margo Gkini, who each share their expert perspectives on groundbreaking studies and their implications for psoriatic disease care.

• What the latest research reveals about psoriasis pathophysiology.  
• How biologics are impacting long-term treatment safety and efficacy.  
• Insights into the gut-skin connection and its role in inflammation.

• Learn more about GRAPPA: GRAPPA Official Website  
• Discover highlights from the GRAPPA EADV 2024 Congress Highlights.

🎧 Subscribe to Inside GRAPPA on your favorite podcast platform for more updates on cutting-edge research and clinical strategies in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Don't miss the next episode---stay tuned and stay curious!

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