NPF-Funded Research

Project Summary:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints and skin. This research will investigate how diet, weight management, and the gut microbiome influence disease activity and overall health in people living with PsA.  Using samples and data collected from a diet study, researchers will examine whether changes in diet and weight are associated with improvements in gut health and arthritis symptoms. The findings may help identify personalized nutrition strategies and support the development of more effective, holistic approaches to PsA care.

Potential Impact: This research could improve our understanding of the connection between diet, gut health, and inflammation, helping patients and healthcare providers make more informed lifestyle and treatment decisions

How will your project help improve the lives of the 125 million affected by psoriatic disease?

This project will help improve the lives of people living with psoriatic disease by increasing our understanding of how diet, weight management, and gut health influence inflammation and disease activity. By identifying factors that contribute to better outcomes, the research may support the development of more personalized lifestyle and nutritional approaches to complement existing treatments.

The study also aims to identify biomarkers that can help predict which individuals are most likely to benefit from specific dietary interventions. Ultimately, the findings could lead to more effective, patient-centered care strategies that improve symptom control, overall health, and quality of life for people affected by psoriatic disease.

Why is psoriatic disease research important to you, personally? What role will this award play in your research efforts or career development?

We would like to express our gratitude for your generous support through the NPF Discovery Grant. Your contribution is instrumental in advancing our research project focused on unraveling sex-differences in immune and inflammatory profiles in psoriatic disease.

With this support, we will gain access to essential resources, enabling us to conduct cutting-edge proteomic analysis which will identify important pathways that are different in males and females living with psoriatic disease. This support is crucial in our pursuit of a better understanding of psoriatic disease, particularly in exploring the gender-specific factors influencing its development and progression.

Your dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and your commitment to improving the lives of individuals affected by psoriatic disease have made a significant impact on our research endeavors. We are deeply grateful for your belief in our project and for partnering with us on this journey.

Researcher Profile:

Dr. Eder is Clinician-Scientist at Women’s College Research Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada. Dr. Eder has a broad background in rheumatology with specific training and expertise in clinical epidemiology and imaging of psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular diseases in rheumatic patients. She is Director of the Psoriatic Arthritis program at Women’s College Hospital and co-Director, University of Toronto, Cardio-Rheumatology Program, an interdisciplinary program that aims to improve the management of cardiovascular morbidities in rheumatic patients by developing novel models of care and through research and educational activities. Dr. Eder was awarded Canada Research Chair in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases (2021-2031) for studying barriers of equitable care in rheumatology including the role of sex and gender as determinants of disease outcomes.