Psoriatic Arthritis Causes

Research has shown that there are a number of risk factors that increase a person's chances of developing psoriatic arthritis. Causes of the condition could possibly include a combination of environmental, genetic, and immune system factors. However, at this point, scientists do not know the exact cause or causes of psoriatic arthritis. A few risk factors for this condition include certain genetic factors, a family history of psoriatic arthritis, and trauma to the skin.

Psoriatic Arthritis Information

Psoriatic Arthritis Causes: An Overview

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that affects up to 8 percent of people with psoriasis. Arthritis research scientists believe that a combination of environmental, genetic, and immune system factors causes this condition. However, at this point, they aren't sure how these possible psoriatic arthritis causes tie together.

Psoriatic Arthritis Risk Factors

Psoriasis research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop psoriatic arthritis. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chances of developing a disease. Having risk factors for psoriatic arthritis does not guarantee that a person will develop psoriatic arthritis; it just increases the chances.

Some psoriatic arthritis risk factors include:

A family history of psoriatic arthritis
Certain genetic factors
HIV/AIDS
Other infections
Trauma.

Family History

About 40 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis also have a family member who has psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

Certain Genetic Factors

Scientists have identified certain genes that increase a person's chances of developing psoriatic arthritis. For example, variations of the HLA-B gene increase the risk of developing the condition. HLA-B27 is found in 70 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis and sacroilitis (inflammation of the joints between the base of the spine [the sacrum] and the hipbones [the ilia]).

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