Psoriatic arthritis (often misspelled as arthritic psoriasis) also known as arthritis psoriatica, psoriatic arthropathy or arthropathic psoriasis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the skin (psoriasis) and joints (arthritis). Psoriatic arthritis occurs in 10 to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis. Contrary to popular belief, Psoriatic arthritis isn’t a type of psoriasis but a symptom of psoriasis which is classified as a type of arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your cells and antibodies fight your own tissues.
Treatment of psoriatic arthritis is similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis. More than 80% of patients with psoriatic arthritis will have psoriatic nail lesions characterised by pitting of the nails, or more extremely, loss of the nail itself. Psoriatic arthritis can develop at any age, however on average it tends to appear about 10 years after the first signs of psoriasis. For the majority of people this is between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can also affect children. Men and women are equally affected by this condition. In about one in seven cases the arthritis symptoms may occur before any skin involvement.
Both genetic and environmental factors seem to be associated with the development of psoriatic arthritis. The immune system plays an important role. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can relieve pain and inflammation and possibly help prevent progressive joint involvement and damage. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can potentially be disabling and crippling.
Diagnosis
Psoriatic arthritis can develop slowly with mild symptoms, or it can develop quickly and be severe. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis can help prevent or limit extensive joint damage that occurs in later stages of the disease. There are no specific tests for psoriasis. A doctor may order Blood tests, x-ray and CT scans in assessing your arthritis.
Common symptoms
- Generally, one or more of the following symptoms appears:
- Generalized fatigue
- Tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons
- Swollen fingers and toes
- Stiffness, pain, throbbing, swelling and tenderness in one or more joints
- A reduced range of motion
- Morning stiffness and tiredness
- Nail changes-for example, the nail separates from the nail bed and/or becomes pitted and mimics fungus infections
- Redness and pain of the eye, such as conjunctivitis
Psoriatic Arthritis Treament
The underlying process in psoriatic arthritis is inflammation, therefore treatments are directed at reducing and controlling inflammation. The proper treatment for psoriatic arthritis can relieve pain and reduce the swelling.
First line medications are NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen followed by more potent NSAIDs like diclofenac, indomethacin, and etodolac. Other treatment options for this disease include joint injections with corticosteroids this will only be effective if a few joints are affected.
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