Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is associated with psoriasis on the skin. Approximately 10-30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, although it often may go undiagnosed, particularly in its milder forms. It can develop at any time, but for most people, it appears between the ages of 30 and 50, and seems to affect men at a slightly higher percentage than women.

Symptoms include stiffness, pain, swelling and tenderness of the joints and the tissue around them. Movement of the joint(s) may be difficult. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can relieve pain and inflammation and possibly help prevent progressive joint involvement and damage. However, without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can potentially be disabling and crippling.

Some cases of psoriatic arthritis cause deterioration of the spine and deformity of the joints, leading to disability. It is important for people who seem to be developing severe psoriatic arthritis to begin appropriate treatment before irreversible changes occur.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the disease and preserve function and range of motion. Some early indicators of severe disease include onset at a young age, having many joints involved and spinal involvement. A National Institutes of Health study reported that psoriasis skin flares may aggravate psoriatic arthritis of the limbs, especially the fingers. Good control of the skin may be valuable in the management of psoriatic arthritis of the limbs.

Psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed by X-rays, blood tests and joint fluid tests, and treatment options include:

?       Skin care

?       Light treatment (UVB or PUVA)

?       Corrective cosmetics

?       Medications: glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, gold, cyclosporine

?       Exercise

?       Rest

?       Heat and cold

?       Splints

?       Surgery (rarely)

There are five types of psoriatic arthritis: symmetric, asymmetric, distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP), spondylitis and arthritis mutilans. For more information, click here.

Copyright (C) 2005. All Rights Reserved. Keren Talia Le-Yeladim, Amuta Reshuma.     Contact Webmaster