Points To Remember About Psoriatic Arthritis

• Psoriatic arthritis can occur in people who have psoriasis (scaly red and white skin patches).
• It affects the joints and areas where tissues attach to bone.
• No one knows what causes psoriatic arthritis. Researchers believe that both genes and environment are involved.
• Medications are used to treat symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. You should talk to your doctor about the best medications for you.
• Exercise, heat and cold therapies, relaxation exercises, splints and braces, and assistive devices can help.

Overview of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis (joint inflammation) that can occur in people who have psoriasis (scaly red and white skin patches).

What happens in psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis affects the joints, and areas where muscles and ligaments attach to bone. Typically, skin disease precedes the arthritis, sometimes by several years. In some cases, arthritis occurs first.

The joints most commonly affected are:

• The outermost joints of the fingers or toes.
• Wrists.
• Knees.
• Ankles.
• Lower back.

Who Gets Psoriatic Arthritis?

Anyone can be affected by psoriatic arthritis, but certain risk factors are associated with a greater risk for the disease:

• Race: Psoriatic arthritis is more common in whites than in African Americans or Asian Americans.
• Age: The disease typically begins between the ages of 30 and 50, but can begin in childhood.

Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:

• Joint pain and swelling that may come and go and may be accompanied by redness and warmth.
• Tenderness where muscles or ligaments attach to the bones, particularly the heel and bottom of the foot.
• Inflammation of the spinal column, called spondylitis, which can cause pain and stiffness in the neck and lower back.
• Morning stiffness.
• Reduced range of motion of the joints.
• Painful, sausage-like swelling of the fingers and/or toes.
• Thickness and reddening of the skin with flaky, silver white patches called scales.
• Pitting of the nails or separation from the nail bed.
• Tiredness.
• Pink eye, inflammation, or infection of the membrane lining the eyelid and part of the eyeball.

Causes of Psoriatic Arthritis

No one knows what causes psoriatic arthritis. People with the condition often have a family member with psoriasis or arthritis, suggesting that genetics are involved. In people with the disease gene, an infection may activate the immune system to trigger the development of psoriatic arthritis. This indicates that environment is also involved.

Diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis

If you have psoriasis and start to develop joint pain, it's important to see your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis can help prevent joint damage.

Although there is no test for psoriatic arthritis, your doctor may do the following to diagnosis you with the condition:

• Ask you about your medical and family history.
• Give you a physical exam.
• Take samples of blood or joint fluid for a laboratory test.
• Take x-rays.

Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis

Treatment for psoriatic arthritis depends on its severity. Milder forms of the disease may be treated by:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, are available over the counter, whereas other NSAIDS are available by prescription only.
• Corticosteroids, strong inflammation-fighting drugs, may be injected directly into the affected joint(s).

Forms of the disease that are persistent or affect multiple joints may be treated by:

• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that slow or stop the immune system from attacking the joints and causing damage.
• Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents.

Who Treats Psoriatic Arthritis?

Doctors who diagnose and treat psoriatic arthritis include:

• A general practitioner, such as your family doctor.
• A rheumatologist, who specializes in arthritis and other diseases of the bones, joints, and muscles.