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Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool for psoriatic arthritis (PEST)

Calculator

When to use

Have you ever had a swollen joint or joints?

Yes

Has a doctor ever told you that you have arthritis?

Yes

Do your fingernails or toenails have holes or pits?

Yes

Have you had pain in your heel?

Yes

Have you had a finger or toe that was completely swollen and painful for no apparent reason?

Yes

Calculation

Please enter all the required inputs.

The Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST) is a clinical calculator used to screen for psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis, a condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. The PEST calculator is designed to identify patients who may have psoriatic arthritis but have not yet been diagnosed, allowing for earlier intervention and treatment. The PEST calculator is applicable to patients with psoriasis, particularly those with a long history of the disease, as the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis increases over time. The clinical utility of this calculator is to facilitate early detection of psoriatic arthritis, which can help prevent or slow down joint damage and disability. There are no specific exclusion criteria for the use of the PEST calculator. However, it should be noted that a positive PEST score does not confirm a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, but rather indicates a need for further evaluation by a rheumatologist.

Reference

Philip S Helliwell. Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST): a report from the GRAPPA 2009 annual meeting. J Rheumatol. 2011 Mar;38(3):551-2.

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