Psoriatic Arthritis

 
 

Overview

A type of arthritis that develops after psoriasis. Cycles of flares and remission are common and treatment can help manage symptoms, but usually the condition does not entirely resolve. 

Common Symptoms

Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, swollen fingers and toes, foot pain, lower back pain, enthesitis (inflammation of the region where a tendon or ligament attaches to bone), and fatigue.

Coexisting Diseases and Conditions

Cardiovascular disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome, diabetes, osteoporosis, malignancy, fatty liver disease, depression, anxiety, vision problems, skin cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis mutilans, gout, HIV.

Recent research shows that inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) may lead to the development of psoriatic arthritis.

Risk Factors and Prevalence

Psoriasis, a family history of PsA, being between 30 and 50 years of age, cigarette smoking, obesity, having the HLA-B gene and other genetic markers, being male, and environmental triggers (such as streptococcus or staph infections).

Sources

  1. Article Sources and Footnotes

    1. Dykes, L. (2021, April 16). Females at Greater Risk of Developing Psoriatic Arthritis in Recent Years. Rheumatology Network. https://www.rheumatologynetwork.com/view/females-more-at-risk-for-developing-psoriatic-arthritis-in-recent-years.

    2. Feintuch, S. (2019, August 16). 11 Psoriatic Arthritis Complications You Need to Know About. CreakyJoints. https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/psa-overview/psoriatic-arthritis-complications/.  

    3. Feintuch, S. (2019, August 22). Psoriatic Arthritis Risk Factors and Causes You Need to Know About. CreakyJoints. https://creakyjoints.org/education/psoriatic-arthritis-causes-risk-factors/.  

    4. Haddad, A., & Zisman, D. (2017). Comorbidities in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis. Rambam Maimonides medical journal, 8(1), e0004. https://doi.org/10.5041/RMMJ.10279.

    5. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019, September 21). Psoriatic arthritis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354076#:~:text=Psoriatic%20arthritis%20is%20a%20form,begin%20before%20skin%20patches%20appear.  

    6. National Psoriasis Foundation/USA. (2020, October 1). Are You at Risk for Psoriatic Arthritis? National Psoriasis Foundation. https://www.psoriasis.org/risk-for-psoriatic-arthritis/.