Psoriasis is a very common chronic inflammatory condition that impacts the joints too!^[1]

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic Arthritis is a condition that combines the scaling and red itchy skin characteristic of Psoriasis and the swollen fingers and toes of arthritis.^[3] It is aptly described as an ‘inflammatory arthritis that affects the skin and joints.’^[4]
However, many people with Psoriatic Arthritis also experience involvement of other organs like eyes.
Psoriatic Arthritis occurs when your body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue. This abnormal response leads to overproduction of skin cells and inflammation of joints causing Psoriasis and arthritis-like symptoms respectively.^[4][5]
Viral or bacterial infections or physical trauma are also known to cause Psoriatic Arthritis, especially in people who have a family history of the condition.^[5]

What is the impact of Psoriatic Arthritis?

In earlier times, Psoriatic Arthritis was considered to be a very benign disease.^[6] However recent studies have highlighted the impact that Psoriatic Arthritis can have on the body, in addition to its impact on skin and joints.^[7]

In ~30% of the Psoriatic Arthritis cases, Psoriasis is the presenting symptom followed by joint manifestations.^[8] Although this is not binding, having Psoriasis may make it easier to detect the onset of Psoriatic Arthritis earlier.
It is hard to generalise the impact that Psoriatic Arthritis can have, since the symptoms vary greatly. However, once the disease has progressed, simple tasks like opening a jar, lifting a bag, typing on a keyboard or using a mobile may become immensely difficult. The combined discomfort of skin symptoms and the physical limitations caused by joint symptoms leads to a lot of emotional distress, causing frustration and finally leading to anxiety and depression.^[3][9]

Understanding your condition will enable you to seek help early and prevent permanent damage.^[10]

Psoriatic Arthritis Facts

• There is no fixed age for the onset of Psoriatic Arthritis related symptoms, but it usually begins in the 4th or the 5th decade of life. However, young children and elderly people are also known to develop Psoriatic Arthritis.^[11]
• Psoriatic Arthritis is found to be more prevalent in males than in females, with the male to female ratio ranging from 0.7: 1 to 2.1:1.^[11]
• Many people have both skin and joint symptoms.^[11]
• Joints on one side or both sides of the body can be affected.^[5]
• Those diagnosed with Psoriasis have a high chance of developing Psoriatic Arthritis^[11]
• Early diagnosis and treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis can help delay progression and improve overall health.^[6]

Talk to your Dermatologist about biologics for clear* skin

*No plaque elevation, erythema or scaling, hyperpigmentation maybe present.

References

1. Scher JU, et al. Nature Reviews. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41584-019-0175-0.
2. Gladman D, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64:ii14–ii17.
3. Everything You Need to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis. Available [Online] at:  https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriatic-arthritisAccessed on 2 July 2020.
4. Arthritis Foundation. Psoriatic Arthritis. Available [Online] at: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/psoriatic-arthritisAccessed on 2 July 2020.
5. Psoriatic Arthritis. Available [Online] at: https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis-the-basicsAccessed on 2 July 2020.
6. Coates LC, et al. Clinical Medicine 2017;17(1):65–70.
7. Arthritis Foundation. Beyond Joints: How PsA Affects The Body. Available [Online] at:https://www.arthritis.org/better-living-toolkit/how-psa-affects-the-bodyAccessed on 2 July 2020.
8. Psoriatic Arthritis Stages and Progression. Available [Online] at: https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis-stagesAccessed on 2 July 2020.
9. Mease PJ et al. Drugs 2014;74:423–441.
10. Mayo clinic. Psoriatic Arthritis. Available [Online] at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354076Accessed on 4th May 2020.
11. Liu J-T, et al. World J Orthop 2014 September 18;5(4):537-543.

P3 Code: UP/Pso/103971/18/11/20