Psoriatic Arthritis: Early Signs and Treatments

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can develop in people with psoriasis; a chronic skin disease characterized by red patches and silvery scales. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, around 30 percent of the approximate 8 million Americans who suffer from psoriasis will also develop this form of arthritis.

Early Signs and Symptoms

This condition is characterized by joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness, but generally the symptoms of psoriasis appear first. It can affect a variety of joints and start at any age, though onset commonly occurs between 30 and 50 years of age.

Symptoms tend to occur in waves or flare-ups, which alternate with periods of remission. However, since it’s a progressive condition, symptoms worsen over time. An early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the disease.

Some of the most common early signs and symptoms include:

• Painful and swollen joints
• Joints that are red and warm
• Reduced range of motion in the affected joints
• Stiffness, particularly in the morning
• Fatigue

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown, but it’s hypothesized to be a result of an abnormally functioning immune system, which attacks healthy tissue in the body. Both genetic and environmental factors may play a role, but little is known definitively. More research is being done to attempt to identify a specific cause and confirm triggers for this form of arthritis.

Having an existing diagnosis of psoriasis is considered the number one risk factor. People who have a family history of either psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis also have a 30 to 40 percent greater chance of developing it.

While psoriasis itself is not infectious, psoriatic arthritis may result from a viral or bacterial infection that activates the immune system, though this hasn’t been confirmed.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for psoriatic arthritis, so treatment focuses on slowing the condition from progressing and pain relief. Common treatment includes the following.

Medications such as:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and inflammation
• Enzyme inhibitors to slow the disease’s progression
• Steroids to control inflammation
• Immunosuppressant drugs to reduce the immune system’s aggressive response
• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to slow progression, provide relief from symptoms, and protect against joint damage
• UV therapy for psoriasis symptoms

Physical therapy to:

• Address acute symptoms like pain and inflammation
• Improve range of motion
• Prevent joint deformity

Surgery to:

• Correct deformities when joints are too damaged
• Partially or completely replace a joint in severe cases

If you are experiencing any symptoms, make an appointment to talk to your doctor. Since psoriatic arthritis is a progressive condition, an early diagnosis can be a better prognosis and a higher quality of life.