Imagine walking into a clinic and, in just 20 minutes, gaining a complete picture of how inflammation is affecting your body. Thanks to cutting-edge research, that’s now a reality. A groundbreaking total-body PET scanner could transform the way psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed and managed, offering new hope for thousands of UK patients.
Until now, diagnosing psoriatic arthritis has been a challenge. Doctors have relied on physical examinations and targeted imaging, methods that often miss inflammation hidden deep within the body. This can leave many patients struggling with unexplained pain and stiffness.
The new total-body PET scanner changes everything. This technology provides a full-body view of inflammation in minutes, using a small amount of radioactive sugar to detect active disease. The results are more precise diagnoses, earlier interventions, and lower radiation exposure for patients.
A study by UC Davis Health in California, involving 71 patients with psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis uncovered startling findings:
Previously undetected inflammation was found in 15% of joints, 20% of entheses (where tendons and ligaments meet bone), and 13% of nails. Some patients who had been told certain areas were unaffected actually had active disease.
This technology is already making an impact in the UK. In November 2024, a new total-body PET scanner was unveiled at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, part of a nationwide effort to revolutionise disease diagnosis. It is up to 40 times more sensitive and 10 times faster than existing machines, meaning patients get results more quickly and with greater accuracy.
Sarah Corfield, one of the first UK patients to use the new scanner, described the experience as a major improvement over traditional scan:
“The new scanner was a good experience, it felt very open, and not at all claustrophobic. It was much quicker, I was done in 15 minutes, and they told me the images were much higher quality.”
For those living with psoriatic arthritis, this breakthrough could be life-changing. Clinicians will now have a clearer understanding of the disease, leading to better treatments and more personalised care. The technology also has the potential to detect inflammation in other organ systems, aiding research into autoimmune diseases, cancer, dementia, and heart conditions.
The new scanner is part of the National PET Imaging Platform (NPIP), a UK-wide initiative supported by a £32 million investment to improve diagnosis and treatment across multiple diseases. With government backing, more of these scanners are expected to be deployed across the country, offering hope for faster, more effective care.
With its potential to revolutionise diagnosis and treatment, there is growing optimism that total-body PET scanning could become a key tool within the NHS. The ability to detect disease earlier, monitor treatment more effectively, and improve patient outcomes makes this a significant step forward in psoriatic arthritis care and beyond.
As the technology develops and more data is gathered, the impact of total-body PET scanning on healthcare in the UK could be profound, offering patients a clearer path to diagnosis and better long-term management of their condition.
Sources:
UC Davis Health, California.
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology UK