Amgen And Lance Bass Partner To Encourage People To Do A `Double Take` To Recognize The Early Signs Of Psoriatic Arthritis

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Otezla^® (apremilast) have partnered with pop icon and entrepreneur Lance Bass, for the Double Take campaign to empower people to take action when it comes to psoriatic arthritis. As a singer, dancer and entertainer, Bass understands the importance of staying in tune with your body. Through the campaign, he has created a fun and educational dance to help make it easy for everyone to recognize the early signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, a condition Bass has lived with for over a decade.

When Bass first started experiencing pain in his hands and shoulders he blamed it on other factors, such as his active lifestyle as a dancer and getting older. With support from from his friends and family, he decided to see a doctor and was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis – a chronic, inflammatory form of arthritis which can cause swelling, stiffness and pain in and around the joints that worsens over time. About one million Americans are affected by psoriatic arthritis, which can develop in up to 30% of patients diagnosed with psoriasis. Like Bass, people often dismiss the signs and symptoms, attributing them to lifestyle factors like overexercising or aging. Now Bass, who does not take Otezla but has been living with the condition for 10 years, is encouraging others to not dismiss the signs and to do a "Double Take" if they are experiencing potential symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

"I was officially diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about 5 years ago. When I found out that the symptoms I was experiencing were a result of psoriatic arthritis, I was surprised and scared – I was only in my 30s," said Bass. "I`ve learned the importance of understanding and recognizing the early symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. You don`t have to brush it off or deal with it. I teamed up with Amgen on the Double Take campaign to share my story and empower others to take action."

"Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that can affect people who have psoriasis and is caused by overactive inflammation of cells inside the body," said Alvin F. Wells, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Rheumatology and Immunotherapy Center in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. "As a rheumatologist, I know all too well how the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can go beyond pain and the importance of early diagnosis. Symptoms such as scalp psoriasis or pitted nails, in addition to joint pain, could point to psoriatic arthritis. If people see these signs, it`s important to speak with your doctor as soon as possible, especially if you have been diagnosed with psoriasis."

Made by Amgen, Otezla is a prescription medicine approved for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. The most common side effects reported in more than 5% of patients are diarrhea, nausea, and headache.

To learn more about Bass` story, the Double Take dance, and the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, visit PsADoubleTake.com.