What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects people with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that is characterized by scaling and swelling. It is caused by a malfunction in the immune system. Similar to other types of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation of joints. It can also affect other areas of the body.
Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that affects up to 8 percent of people with psoriasis. While it can happen at any age, it is more common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Men and women are equally as likely to develop it.
Most often, it develops after a person has had psoriasis for several years. However, in 15 percent of people,
psoriatic arthritis symptoms develop before the skin
symptoms of psoriasis appear. In another 15 percent of people, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are diagnosed at the same time.
What Causes Psoriatic Arthritis?
Scientists do not know the exact cause or causes of psoriatic arthritis. They do think that it is caused by a combination of environmental, genetic, and immune system factors. At this point, however, they aren't sure how these factors tie together.
Risk Factors for Psoriatic Arthritis
Research scientists know a number of factors that increase a person's chances of developing psoriatic
arthritis. These are known as risk factors. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chances of developing a disease. Having risk factors does not guarantee that a person will develop psoriatic arthritis; it just increases the chances.
- A family history of psoriatic arthritis
- Certain genetic factors
- HIV/AIDS
- Other infections
- Trauma.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect people in different ways. Some people may have symptoms that are mild, with only a few joints affected and no permanent joint damage. Others may have a more serious case of the disease that affects more joints and results in permanent damage.
Possible symptoms may include:
- Pain, tenderness, and/or stiffness in the joints
- Swelling of the fingers and/or toes
- Pitting, thickened, and discolored toenails or fingernails
- Low back pain or neck pain
- Eye pain and redness.
Although any joint can be affected by psoriatic arthritis, the joints most often affected are the joints at the ends of the fingertips (known as distal interphalangeal joints). Joint pain and tenderness are less common with psoriatic arthritis compared to other
types of arthritis.
Types of Psoriatic Arthritis
There are several types of psoriatic
arthritis. Symptoms will vary in nature and intensity based on which type of this arthritis a person has. The major types of psoriatic arthritis include:
- Asymmetric inflammatory arthritis
- Symmetric arthritis
- Psoriatic spondylitis
- Distal interphalangeal predominant
- Arthritis mutilans.
It is possible for a person to experience more than one type of psoriatic arthritis over time.
Making a Diagnosis
In order to diagnose this condition, the healthcare provider will begin by asking a number of questions, then perform a physical exam looking for signs of psoriatic arthritis. If he or she suspects psoriatic arthritis, certain tests may be recommended. These tests may include blood tests and x-rays.
Before making a diagnosis, the healthcare provider will make sure you do not have other conditions that share similar symptoms with psoriatic arthritis. A few of these conditions include:
Treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis
Although psoriatic
arthritis can have serious effects on a person's life and well-being, current treatment strategies (including pain-relief drugs and medications that slow joint damage, a balance between rest and exercise, and patient education and support programs) allow most people with the disease to lead active and productive lives.
Some current treatment options include:
In recent years, research has led to a new understanding of psoriatic arthritis and has increased the likelihood that, in time, researchers will find even better ways to treat the disease.
What Are Spondyloarthropathies?
The spondyloarthropathies are a group of arthritic diseases that can cause inflammation throughout the body, especially in the spine. They are characterized by a positive HLA-B27 and negative rheumatoid factor.
Besides psoriatic arthritis, this group of conditions includes:
