An initiative called iPROPLEPSIS is using artificial intelligence, wearables, and mobile health apps to transform psoriatic arthritis care through early detection, personalized treatment and patient-centered digital tools.听
Listen now to explore AI鈥檚 impact on care!
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease tied to psoriasis and affects millions of people globally. It often escapes early diagnosis as traditional approaches rely heavily on clinical assessments and imaging 鈥� methods that lack the precision and accessibility needed for timely intervention. A European research initiative led by Prof. Leontios Hadjileontiadis is now aiming to bridge this gap using digital health tools and artificial intelligence.听听
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The initiative, , is a multi-national project funded under Horizon Europe. Its aim is to map the transition from health to psoriatic disease, predict who鈥檚 at risk, and guide patients and physicians through personalized care pathways. Unlike earlier digital efforts that focused mostly on rheumatoid arthritis or isolated data sources, iPROPLEPSIS merges retrospective studies, real-world data, and ongoing clinical trials. The data ranges from smartphone videos and typing habits to gut microbiome profiles and sleep patterns, all fed into explainable AI models to generate individualized risk assessments and treatment suggestions.听听
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鈥�By combining real-world data, patient-reported outcomes, and advanced analytics, we鈥檙e building a digital ecosystem that empowers patients and gives clinicians the tools they need to detect psoriatic arthritis earlier, track its progression, and deliver truly personalized care.鈥�
Prof. Leontios Hadjileontiadis, Professor, Khalifa University.
The miPROLEPSIS app connects patients with their treatment. It acts as both a patient diary and clinical dashboard, integrating physical activity data, joint motion scores, inflammation signals, and patient-reported outcomes. Patients receive personalized lifestyle recommendations, while physicians can see real-time disease activity projections to support clinical decisions. Additional tools include an AI-driven game suite to promote movement and mental well-being, and a binaural beat therapy app designed to improve sleep and reduce pain.听听
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鈥淥ur goal with iPROPLEPSIS is to shift care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, using explainable AI and digital tools to empower both patients and clinicians,鈥� Prof. Hadjileontiadis said. 鈥淭his initiative reflects a broader shift towards 鈥楶4 medicine鈥�: preventative, predictive, personalized and participatory care. It could set a new standard in digital rheumatology, not just for psoriatic arthritis but for other complex chronic diseases as well.鈥澨�
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The iPROPLEPSIS project includes patient panels and aims to ensure real-world applicability and user satisfaction. By 2027, the team aims to have tested the tools developed across large cohorts in Greece, the UK, Portugal, and the Netherlands.听听
Jade Sterling
Science Writer
