Psoriatic arthritis is a kind of arthritis that affects psoriasis patients. Psoriasis is a skin ailment characterized by red, scaly areas of skin. Psoriatic arthritis affects roughly 30% of patients with psoriasis and can cause joint discomfort, stiffness, and edema.
Cause
Although the actual etiology of psoriatic arthritis is uncertain, it is thought to be an autoimmune illness. This means that the immune system of the body targets its own tissues and organs. The immune system targets the joints in psoriatic arthritis, producing inflammation and damage.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect every joint in the body, although the fingers, toes, knees, and ankles are the most usually affected. It can also damage the spine, producing neck and lower back discomfort and stiffness. Psoriatic arthritis can cause inflammation and redness in the eyes in rare circumstances.
Symptoms
Psoriatic arthritis symptoms differ from person to person. Some people may experience modest symptoms, while others may experience severe symptoms that interfere with their everyday lives. Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by the following symptoms:
Joint stiffness and discomfort
This is the most prevalent psoriatic arthritis symptom. The pain may be subtle or intense, and it may affect one or several joints.
Swelling
Psoriatic arthritis can cause joint swelling, making them look bigger than normal.
Fatigue
Many patients with psoriatic arthritis suffer weariness, which can make doing daily chores difficult.
Limited range of motion
Psoriatic arthritis can cause joint stiffness, making it difficult to move them.
Nail changes
Psoriatic arthritis can produce nail abnormalities such as pitting, discolouration, and detachment from the nail bed.
Problems with the eyes
Psoriatic arthritis can induce eye inflammation, resulting in redness, discomfort, and impaired vision.
Cardiovascular disease
People with psoriatic arthritis may be more prone to heart problems, most likely due to inflammation in the body.
Depression and anxiety
Dealing with a chronic illness, such as psoriatic arthritis, may be tough, and many people experience depression and anxiety as a result.
Diagnose
Psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed using a combination of symptoms, physical examination, and imaging testing. Blood tests can also be performed to evaluate the body for inflammation. It is critical to detect psoriatic arthritis early so that therapy may begin and additional joint damage can be avoided.
Treatment
There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis. Controlling inflammation in your damaged joints and reducing skin involvement are the main goals of treatment. Prescription pharmaceuticals known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are one of the most often used therapies (DMARDs). Therapy will be determined by the severity of your condition and which joints are impacted. You may need to try many therapies before you discover one that works for you.