GOTHA - The Early Arthritis and Psoriasis Study of Region Västra Götaland, Sweden

GÖTHA- The early arthritis and psoriasis study of Region Västra Götaland, Sweden - is a longitudinal observational study, which will prospectively and in parallel follow patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA, N=1000), psoriatic arthritis (PsA, N=500) and undifferentiated arthritis (N=100), together with patients with psoriasis (N=500). The study will also recruit healthy controls from the general population (N=3000). The aims of the study are to define predictors for disease course and severity, treatment response, comorbidities, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and health economy. The study is a collaboration between the department of Rheumatology and the department of Dermatology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, and the departments of Rheumatology at the hospitals of Alingsås, Borås, Uddevalla and Skövde, in the west of Sweden. All patients with newly diagnosed RA, PsA and undifferentiated arthritis at the Rheumatology centers are eligible for inclusion. Patients with psoriasis will be recruited from the Department of dermatology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The patients will be examined at baseline and at one, three, five and ten years. The assessments will include physical examination with evaluation of joints, entheses and skin and validated questionnaires regarding medical history, comorbidities, lifestyle, disease activity, bodily function, socioeconomic factors and HRQoL. Blood samples will be collected. The patients with arthritis will also undergo radiography of the lung, hands and feet, and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) of hands and feet.