Psoriatic Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Risk Factors

August 1, 2022 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Risk Factors

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease which causes inflammation in the joints and skin. Psoriatic arthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis in adults. It occurs when a person’s immune system attacks their own body tissue, causing inflammation, swelling and pain.

Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by skin lesions, swelling, stiffness and joint pain. It can affect almost any joint in the body but commonly affects the hands, wrists, elbows and knees.

Psoriatic arthritis can be difficult to diagnose because it does not have the same symptoms as other types of arthritis. It can also be difficult for patients to manage due to the fact that there are not many effective treatments for this type of arthritis.

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis, a disease that causes red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Patients with psoriatic arthritis often develop the condition years before they are diagnosed with it.

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes an increase in the production of proteins called cytokines by cells in the body, especially certain white blood cells. The inflammation caused by this condition can cause severe joint pain and deformity as well as other problems such as heart disease, lung damage, skin problems, etc.

There are two main types of psoriatic arthritis: psoriasis-associated arthritis and systemic-onset psoriatic arthritis.

  • Psoriasis-associated arthritic disease is characterized by skin lesions that have a tendency to produce red, scaly patches on the elbows, knees, or scalp.
  • Systemic-onset psoriatic arthritis develops when there is a buildup of tissue fluid in the body which leads to inflammation and pain throughout many parts of the body.

Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that worsen over time. The signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis often resemble those of rheumatoid arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis usually starts as a result of an infection of the skin or joints.

The symptoms vary depending on the type of psoriasis and severity of the condition. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may be present in any joint at any time.

The most common symptom of psoriatic arthritis is skin lesions which typically appear on the elbows, knees, or scalp. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis vary from person to person.

The most common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are:

  • Joint pain and swelling, immobility often in one or more of the joints that make up the fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and feet
  • Painful red patches on the skin occurring in areas where the joints are bent (for example on a finger joint)
  • Weakness and limitation of motion in the joint
  • Numbness and tingling in the fingers or toes
  • Joint stiffness
  • Skin irritation and psoriasis, develops a periodic redness that can be an indicator of inflammation
  • Swollen fingers and toes
  • Foot pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Fatigue
  • Eye inflammation
  • Cause damage to the skin, nails, and hair due to increased production of collagen in these areas
  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Night sweats

The pain may be worse at night. A person with psoriatic arthritis may also have anemia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

When to see a doctor?

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic condition that can cause pain and stiffness in the joints. It is best seen by a doctor who can diagnose the condition and provide treatment.

In order to see a doctor for Psoriatic arthritis, you should first see your family physician or general practitioner for an assessment of your symptoms and health history. If they recommend seeing a specialist, then you should be evaluated by one of these specialists

In some cases it can also affect people without psoriasis as well. The symptoms are caused by an immune system attack on the joints which can lead to permanent joint damage or deformity if not treated properly.

Causes

Psoriatic arthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world. The cause of this condition is unknown, but it is thought to be a result of an autoimmune response.

Psoriatic arthritis is caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues – in this case, cartilage and bone. This causes inflammation which leads to swelling, pain, stiffness and deformity of joints.

The most common cause of psoriatic arthritis is an infection with a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). This type of bacteria is usually present in the lungs but it can travel to other parts of the body including skin, bone and joints.

Psoriatic arthritis can be caused by genetic factors or environmental factors. There are many possible triggers for this autoimmune disease which include infections, stress, and exposure to sunlight.

Diagnosis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic condition that can take several years to diagnose and treat. It usually affects people who are over 40 years old but it can also affect children under 10 years old.

Psoriatic arthritis can be difficult to diagnose because it shares symptoms with other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. It is usually treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that reduce inflammation in the joints and relieve pain.

Treatment

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that causes swelling and pain in the joints. It can cause joint damage and deformities. There are many treatments available for Psoriatic arthritis, but most of them are not very effective.

There are several treatments available for those who have this condition. These include medications, physical therapy, injections, surgery, and phototherapy.

Psoriatic arthritis can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes such as diet changes and physical activity. The main treatment for psoriatic arthritis is NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac sodium).

Risk factors

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints and skin. It is most common in people with psoriasis, but it can also develop in people without this condition.

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can restrict mobility and cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. It usually affects the neck, shoulders, spine, hips, knees and feet but can also affect other parts of the body.

Risk factors for developing psoriatic arthritis include:

  • Age over 50 years old
  • Family history of psoriasis or other autoimmune diseases
  • Having psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis symptoms before age 20
  • Smoking

Complications

Psoriatic arthritis can be difficult to diagnose because it often presents with symptoms similar to other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

The most common complication of psoriatic arthritis is joint deformities like osteophytes (bony outgrowths) and erosions (disfigurement). Other complications include skin lesions and sores which may lead to ulcers and infections.

Psoriatic arthritis can be difficult to treat because it is not curable and it can lead to complications such as anemia, heart disease, vision loss, depression, and more.

Summary

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation and damage in the joints. It is typically seen in people who have psoriasis, but it can also be found in people without the skin condition.

Psoriatic arthritis requires long-term treatment with medications, physical therapy, and other therapies. It can lead to severe joint pain and deformity.

People who suffer from psoriatic arthritis should see their doctor for treatment as soon as symptoms appear to prevent further damage to the joints.

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