psoriatic arthritis
psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is a long-term condition that can get progressively worse. If it's severe, there's a risk of the joints becoming permanently damaged or deformed, and surgery may be needed.
But if psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed and treated early, its progression can be slowed down and permanent joint damage can be prevented or minimised.
There's no cure for psoriatic arthritis. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can be disabling
HOW ITS Causes.?
Almost 1 in 3 people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.
It tends to develop 5 to 10 years after psoriasis is diagnosed, although some people may have problems with their joints before they notice any skin-related symptoms.
Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is thought to happen as a result of the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissue.
But it's not clear why some people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis and others do not.
The severity of the condition can vary considerably from person to person. Some people may have severe problems affecting many joints, whereas others may only notice mild symptoms in 1 or 2 joints.
There may be times when your symptoms improve (known as remission) and periods when they get worse (known as flare-ups or relapses).
Relapses can be very difficult to predict, but can often be managed with medicine when they do occur
SYMPTOMS
- Swollen fingers and toes.
- Foot pain.
- Lower back pain.
- Nail changes.
- Eye inflammation.
Several factors can increase your risk of psoriatic arthritis, including:
- Psoriasis. Having psoriasis is the single greatest risk factor for developing psoriatic arthritis.
- Family history. Many people with psoriatic arthritis have a parent or a sibling with the disease.
- Age. Although anyone can develop psoriatic arthritis, it occurs most often in adults between the ages of 30 and 55.
Complications
A small percentage of people with psoriatic arthritis develop arthritis mutilans — a severe, painful and disabling form of psoriatic arthritis. Over time, arthritis mutilans destroys the small bones in the hands, especially the fingers, leading to permanent deformity and disability.
Psoriatic arthritis also puts some people at higher risk of developing hypertension, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease
REFERENCE
- Psoriatic arthritis (in depth). National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/psoriatic-arthritis/advanced. Accessed June 29, 2021.
- Ferri FF. Psoriatic arthritis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 29, 2021.
- Gladman DD, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 27, 2021.
- Gladman DD, et al. Treatment of psoriatic arthritis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 27, 2021.
- AskMayoExpert. Psoriatic arthritis (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2019.
- Singh JA, et al. Special article: 2018 American College of Rheumatology/National Psoriasis Foundation guideline for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2018; doi:10.1002/art.40726.
- Psoriatic arthritis: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/psoriatic-arthritis-treatment. Accessed June 27, 2021.
- Psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis Foundation. https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/psoriatic-arthritis. Accessed June 27, 2021.
- Newer drug treatments for psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis Foundation. https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/more-about/newer-drug-treatments-for-psoriatic-arthritis. Accessed July 3, 2021.
- Biologics. National Psoriasis Foundation. https://www.psoriasis.org/biologics. Accessed July 6, 2021
