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What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Niki Foster
Niki Foster
Niki Foster
Niki Foster

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the skin, or psoriasis, and inflammation of the joints, or arthritis. About ten percent of patients with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is characterized by itchy, raised, red patches of skin, commonly on the elbows, knees, scalp, navel, and genital areas. Psoriatic arthritis commonly affects the knees, ankles, and joints of the feet. The onset of psoriatic arthritis is often in the patient's 40s or 50s.

Psoriasis and arthritis do not usually appear at the same time, and psoriasis appears first in 80% of psoriatic arthritis patients. A person may have symptoms of arthritis or psoriasis alone for twenty years before showing signs of the accompanying condition. Inflammation in body tissues other than the skin and joints, including the spine, eyes, lungs, heart, and kidneys, may also be present. The cause of psoriatic arthritis in unknown, but a gene known as HLA-B27, as well as other gene markers, are common among patients. Sudden changes in the immune system are also a risk factor.

Psoriatic arthritis can be treated with oral medications.
Psoriatic arthritis can be treated with oral medications.

In addition to skin and joint inflammation, acne and pitting or ridges in the nails are common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Pain and stiffness in the joints, the back, and the chest can occur. Inflammation usually affects just a few joints at a time, and pain and stiffness are usually worse in the morning.

Psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed clinically, as there is currently no test for the condition. The symptoms of psoriasis and arthritis are treated individually. Psoriasis may be treated with topical applications, corticosteroid injections, oral medication, light therapy, or biologic injections. Arthritis symptoms are treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and exercise. Usually, when psoriasis symptoms improve, arthritis symptoms do too, and vice versa.

Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by inflammation of both the skin and joints.
Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by inflammation of both the skin and joints.

Other medications may be used in more extreme cases to prevent joint destruction and deformity; these include methotrexate, antimalarial medication such as hydroxychloroquine, oral or injectable gold, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, and corticosteroids. All of these drugs can have serious side effects and are usually only prescribed for severe psoriatic arthritis. Surgical repair of damaged joints, including joint replacement surgery, is sometimes necessary for psoriatic arthritis patients.

Niki Foster
Niki Foster

In addition to her role as a WiseGEEK editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.

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Niki Foster
Niki Foster

In addition to her role as a WiseGEEK editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon119250

i have been diagnosed with palindromic rheumatism, but did have psoriasis for about 20 years. it started to clear and not had any psoriasis for three years. had an attack on my joints February of this year, and was diagnosed with PR in March. Could i have PsA after the psoriasis cleared up.

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    • Psoriatic arthritis can be treated with oral medications.
      By: Nenov Brothers
      Psoriatic arthritis can be treated with oral medications.
    • Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by inflammation of both the skin and joints.
      By: maska82
      Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by inflammation of both the skin and joints.
    • Psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed clinically, as there is currently no test for the condition.
      By: rob3000
      Psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed clinically, as there is currently no test for the condition.