2024 Studentship Winners

The Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 studentships in psoriatic disease.  Congratulations to all of you! 

Image

Darshana Seeburruth, University of Toronto

Project Title:

Improving Psoriasis Treatment Satisfaction: A Comprehensive Study of Patient Preferences and Outcomes. 

Primary Supervisor 

 Dr. Cheryl Rosen, 

Head of the Division of Dermatology, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network 
Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto 
Krembil Clinician Investigator, Krembil Research Institute 
 

Research Institution 

 Toronto Psoriatic Disease Research Program 
Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network 
 

Summary

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting 2-4% of Western populations. It impacts physical and emotional well-being and, with more severe involvement, is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity and psoriatic arthritis. While diverse treatments, including topicals, phototherapy, and systemic therapy such as biologics, are available, a gap exists in understanding patient preferences and satisfaction with these treatments. Past research has shown differences between physician and patient-reported outcomes, emphasizing potential inaccuracies in understanding patient preferences. Previous studies have revealed that 25-38% of patients with psoriasis are dissatisfied with their treatment. Surveys further indicate that only 24% of Canadian psoriasis patients are very satisfied with their current treatment. However, no Canadian study has compared treatment satisfaction across various psoriasis therapies using a validated instrument. Recognizing treatment satisfaction as a crucial patient-centered outcome in psoriasis, our study aims to address this gap. The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) is a validated tool assessing satisfaction in four domains: effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction. Using the TSQM, we will measure differences in treatment satisfaction among patients receiving different psoriasis therapies in a real-world clinical setting. Additionally, we will objectively assess disease severity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and evaluate the impact on patients' quality of life using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). By examining the relationships between treatment satisfaction, disease severity, and quality of life, our study aims to inform more patient-centered care approaches. Ultimately, this research aims to enhance treatment satisfaction in patients with psoriasis, thereby improving adherence, a critical factor for treatment effectiveness in real-world clinical practice. Through a comprehensive understanding of patient preferences, our study seeks to contribute to therapeutic success and enhance the overall quality of life for people with psoriasis. 

Image

Isha Singh, University of Toronto

Title: 

Validating differentially expressed miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of
patients with psoriatic arthritis
 

Primary Supervisor 

Dr, Dafna Gladman

Research institution

Toronto Psoriatic Disease Research Program
Toronto Western Hospital, Division of Rheumatology
 

Summary

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis that develops in nearly a third of patients
with psoriasis, causing joint destruction, functional disability, and a decreased quality of life.
This is a heterogeneous disease, where some patients are mildly affected, while others rapidly
develop progressive and destructive arthritis. Due to the lack of biomarkers to diagnose or
predict the course of PsA, there is a delay in the diagnosis of patients which is a significant
barrier to effective treatment.
 
In this study, we will confirm expression of two small RNA molecules; micro RNA (miRNAs)
that were previously identified in our lab. These miRNAs were different between PsA patients
as compared to healthy controls. We will check the expression in independent set of serum
samples as well as in cells isolated from peripheral blood.
 
Additionally, we will confirm the expression of different cytokines involved in inflammation
which will improve the identification of the disease mechanisms as well as identify robust PsA
biomarkers. We hypothesize that these miRNAs are biomarkers of PsA and further studying
their functional role will help explain the inflammatory pathways involved in PsA. Work in the
future will involve examining the diagnostic potential of these biomarkers.
Image

Makek Shergill, McMaster University 

Project Title

The Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pyoderma
Gangrenosum, and Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque
Psoriasis and their Impact on Advances Therapies Selection: a Retrospective Study from
Ontario
 

Primary Supervisor 

Dr. Mohannad Abu Hilal

Research Institution

McMaster University

Summary

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that impacts 1 million people across Canada.6 It
causes the development of red and silver plaques that are typically itchy and have a significant
impact on quality of life. The chronic inflammatory processes also increases the risk of
developing associated health conditions, such as cardiometabolic, gastrointestinal and other
dermatologic conditions.
 
Biologic therapy has revolutionized psoriasis care, providing new treatments which effectively
target specific cytokines in the inflammatory pathway that mediate disease processes. However,
it is yet to be determined how these therapies influence psoriasis-associated health conditions
such as inflammatory bowel disease, pyoderma gangrenosum, and hidradenitis suppurativa.
Accordingly, the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of these conditions in patients
with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are receiving biologic therapy. By examining the
occurrence, and determining if these conditions developed prior to initiating therapy or after
initiation, we aim to examine if there is a relationship between specific biologic agents and the
development of associated inflammatory conditions. Ultimately, we aim to guide clinicians in the
administration and monitoring of patients with psoriasis receiving biologics, so that patients may
have better outcomes and improved quality of life.

 

Image

Maxine Joly-Chevrier, University of Montreal

Project Title

 Elucidating the Environmental, Socioeconomic and Occupational Risk Factors of Psoriasis: the ESO-PsO Study 

 Primary Supervisor 

Dr. Elena Netchiporouk
McGill University
 

Research Institution

Divisions of Dermatology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University 

Summary

Psoriasis is a major global health burden and causes significant suffering. While significant progress has been made in treating psoriasis, new therapies are often reserved for severe cases. Hence, understanding risk factors for developing psoriasis and working towards its prevention is crucial. We identified that the risk of being diagnosed with psoriasis varies based on the neighborhood in Quebec and that 9 environmental factors are associated with this risk. In this research project, we will study how the area where patients live impacts the risk of developing psoriasis. 

Objective 1: We will analyze data from Quebec's health administrative databases covering the period from 1999 to 2022. This analysis will explore factors (neighborhood, pollution, socioeconomic factors, etc.) associated with psoriasis incidence rates and develop a model to account for spatial and temporal variations. 

Objective 2: This part of the project will use data from the CanPath cohort, including over 13,000 cases of psoriasis matched with controls. We will validate and extend the results from Objective 1 using machine learning and explore additional risk factors. 

Image

Shanti Mehta, University of Toronto

Project Title

The association between glucose intolerance and disease activity in psoriatic arthritis: a retrospective cohort study 

Primary Supervisor 

 Lihi Eder, MD, PhD 
Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto 
Psoriatic Arthritis and Cardio-Rheumatology Program 
Women’s College Hospital 
 

Research Institution

Women’s College Hospital

Summary

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects over one million people in Canada. 20-30% of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which is an inflammatory disease that affects various joints. Many patients with psoriatic arthritis experience significant functional impairments, and a decreased quality of life. It has previously been found that patients with psoriatic arthritis are at a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, highlighting the potential role of metabolic health in psoriatic arthritis. In this study, we plan to determine whether glucose intolerance, as measured by HbA1C can predict psoriatic arthritis disease outcomes. We will use collected data on HbA1C levels and disease activity (such as the presence of tender or swollen joints) to determine if there is a relationship between the severity of disease and glucose intolerance. The results of this study will enhance our understanding of psoriatic disease and allow for improved psoriatic arthritis patient outcomes through the management of metabolic health and glucose intolerance. 

Image

Siddartha Sood, University of Toronto

Project Title

The Economic Burden of Psoriatic Arthritis 

Primary Supervisor 

Dr. Jensen Yeung, MD, FRCPC

Research Institution

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON
 

Summary

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting approximately 2-3% of the
worldwide population. Most commonly, it is characterized by raised, red or violaceous plaques
of skin and is associated with decreased quality of life through impact on sleep, self-esteem, and
ability to work. Although several targeted biologics and small molecules have been approved in
recent years for plaque psoriasis, there remains significant heterogeneity in patient response due
to the complex pathogenesis of disease.
 
In 2022, Health Canada approved Sotyktu (deucravacitinib), an oral selective TYK2 inhibitor,
for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults on the basis of recent clinical trials. In these
studies, deucravacitinib demonstrated superior achievement of efficacy outcomes in comparison
to small molecule inhibitor, apremilast, and placebo. In contrast to controlled clinical trials, the
purpose of this study is to characterize the effectiveness and safety outcomes of deucravacitinib
use in a real-world clinical setting. Additional to these findings, dose optimization and differing
response rates in patients that failed or switched from systemic biologic and/or small molecule
therapy will be investigated.
 
The ultimate goal of this study is to inform clinicians on appropriate prescription of this
medication and monitoring of response. These results can help identify deucravacitinib as an
effective therapy and improve outcomes for patients with plaque psoriasis.

2024 Sponsors

CAPP is so grateful for the support of our 2024 sponsors, without whom these Studentships would not be possible.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image