What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is connected to psoriasis which is a condition characterized by patchy, red raised inflammation of the skin that scales. The itchy, scaly areas are often found in the scalp, over joints like the elbow and knee, around the genital areas, the navel, and in fact, can appear just about anywhere on the body. When psoriasis is associated with an arthritic joint, like the knee or elbow or finger joints, etc. the combination is called psoriatic arthritis. Considered a systemic rheumatic disease psoriatic arthritis it can spread throughout much of the body and cause inflammation even in the lungs, heart, kidneys and eyes. Not surprisingly, psoriatic arthritis has much in common with other arthritic conditions like Crohns disease, reactive arthritis, and even ulcerative colitis.

Causes of Psoriatic Arthritis

What causes psoriatic arthritis is unclear. There is some indication that some patients may have a genetic predisposition to the condition. It is also thought that patients with a compromised immune system, such as found in people with AIDS or other illnesses, may be more prone to developing the illness. There are also indications that physical trauma may provide opportunities for the illness to develop as may bacterial or viral infections. There is also research underway to determine if there are environmental influences that impact the condition. People who already have psoriasis are at the biggest risk for developing psoriatic arthritis and those psoriasis patients whose symptoms include nail lesions are the most likely to develop the illness. People who come from families with a history of psoriasis are also at risk. Psoriatic arthritis seems to occur most often in Caucasians who are over 35 years old although other races and ages are not immune. Because the causes are unclear, the focus of treatment for psoriatic arthritis is on the reduction and easing of symptoms rather than on a cure. Treatment is necessary to avoid possible disabling problems as the illness progresses.

Psoriatic Arthritis Pictures – Hands

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The Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms are most often experienced as inflammation, stiffness and pain in the joints that are also affected by psoriasis. The details of these symptoms are outlined in the article Psoriatic arthritis symptoms.

Diagnoses

Doctors diagnose psoriatic arthritis through observation of the symptoms and via a variety of clinical tests. The patient’s self-description of the symptoms is where doctors begin to diagnose psoriatic arthritis. Since inflammation is the underlying symptom of psoriatic arthritis, blood sedimentation tests may be used to reveal the amount of inflammation in a particular patient. Other blood tests are used to eliminate rheumatoid arthritis because it is a different illness and confirm a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. Arthrocentesis, is an out-patient procedure where fluid is withdrawn from an inflamed joint, and analyzed; the results help determine if the patient has gout or an infection or if the psoriatic arthritis-like symptoms are actually from some other cause. X-rays and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of joints and/or the spine may also be used to definitively locate the occurrences of the arthritis. Any and all of these test results help doctors accurately diagnose psoriatic arthritis. The diagnosis profile, which is different for each patient, is used to help guide the patient’s treatment.

 

Treatments

Although there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, the fact that the underlying symptom is one of inflammation means that treatment s are aimed at helping limit and diminish the swelling and irritation.

• NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

In milder of cases psoriatic arthritis treatment usually involves using with NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin, and ibuprofen, which are available over-the-counter, and naproxen and other more powerful NSAIDs available by only prescription only. Because long-term use of NSAIDs, can cause stomach irritation and liver damage, these treatments should be used with care and require regular monitoring by a health professional.

• Immunosuppressant Drugs

Drugs aimed at treating the arthritis directly known as DMARDs or Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are also used, including methotrexate or leflunomide. Both are immunosuppressant drugs and other immunosuppressant drugs may be prescribed as well. Because they work on the patient’s whole body, suppressing the body’s immune reaction, these drugs may also relieve the psoriasis skin symptoms as well as the arthritis symptoms. Immunosuppressant drugs are, however, now without problems and patients using these drugs require regular checks by a doctor or other health practitioner.

• Steroids

Treatment with steroids, particularly those that can be injected directly into the affected joints has also been found to be effective. Again the risks involved with steroids require careful patient supervision.

• Biological Response modifiers

A new class of drugs called biological response modifiers actually use recombinant DNA to treat psoriatic arthritis. Given by injection or IV, these drugs actually target the immune system in specific ways. These drugs are considered by some to still be in the experimental stage and as a result, are generally used only under careful management by healthcare professionals.

How to Prevent Psoriatic Arthritis – Video

Living Better With Psoriatic Arthritis

There is much patients with psoriatic arthritis can do for themselves as well. Just as with most arthritis treatment, a regime of regular and gentle exercise can help keep the joints flexible and reduce pain; exercise also helps relieve the depression that often accompanies psoriatic arthritis. Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight has also been shown to reduce many of the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. A normal weight is also helps avoid unnecessary stress on joints. Alternating hot and cold packs can help relieve symptoms placed on the affected areas for 20 minutes or so can help relive symptoms such as redness, achiness and itching. The heat is soothing and helps increase blood flow; cold reduces swelling and has a numbing effect. People suffering from psoriatic arthritis should work to reach out to family and friends for help and comfort. Once people understand the nature of the condition, they are generally helpful. Working with a physician and other professional care giver plus reaching out to family and friends for support is the best approach to the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.