INFOGRAPHICPSORIASIS

Psoriatic Arthritis Facts and Tips

July 19, 2024
Psoriatic Arthritis Facts and Tips What Is Psoriatic Arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis is a type of chronic, inflammatory arthritis that affects approximately 24 in 10,000 people. The inflammation of psoriatic arthritis affects your joints as well as the area where tendons and ligaments connect to bones. People with psoriatic arthritis often have skin psoriasis, and many also have nail disease. Psoriatic arthritis is associated with conditions (such as cardiovascular disease) that can affect internal organs. Left unmanaged, it can lead to long-term, sometimes debilitating joint damage. Who Gets Psoriatic Arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis occurs in about 30% of people who have psoriasis. In some cases, it can occur without noticeable psoriasis. It may begin as early as childhood, but psoriatic arthritis is typically diagnosed between ages 30 and 60. Psoriatic arthritis affects men and women in equal numbers, but women tend to have more pain and fatigue and may not respond as well to treatment. Approximately 40% of those diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis have a family history of the disease itself or psoriasis. Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis ● Joint pain ● Morning stiffness ● Joint swelling ● Tenderness in the joints ● Pain where the ligaments or tendons meet the bone (enthesitis) ● Swelling of entire finger(s) or toe(s) (dactylitis, “sausage digits”) ● Reduced range of motion ● Low back or neck stiffness ● Fatigue ● Nail pitting ● Eye pain and redness (known as uveitis or iritis) Psoriatic arthritis symptoms aren’t always symmetrical, meaning they may affect areas on only one side of the body, as opposed to both sides, as some other forms of arthritis do. Triggers Can Bring On a Psoriatic Arthritis Flare With psoriatic arthritis, symptoms may come and go, and the frequency and severity of psoriatic arthritis flare-ups vary from person to person. A flare can be induced by certain triggers: ● Stress ● Smoking ● Skin infection ● Illness, like strep throat ● Injury ● Weight gain ● Dietary factors ● Alcohol intake ● Changes in the weather ● Taking certain medications ● Not following your psoriatic arthritis treatment plan Understanding which triggers exacerbate your psoriatic arthritis and learning how to reduce or avoid them can help you better manage your condition. It Goes Beyond Your Joints Related Health Conditions Psoriatic arthritis can increase your risk of the following health conditions: ● Psoriasis ● Nonmelanoma skin cancer ● Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis ● Metabolic syndrome and its components o Obesity o High blood pressure o High cholesterol o Diabetes o Fatty liver disease ● Heart disease ● Sleep apnea ● Uveitis Mental Health and Wellness People with psoriatic arthritis may be up to 10 times more likely to experience anxiety and depression. It’s a vicious cycle: Chronic pain can worsen anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression make it harder to cope with pain. Having both arthritis and depression can cause more functional limitations, make someone less likely to follow their treatment plan, and increase risk of developing other health conditions. Finding the right psoriatic arthritis treatment regimen <i>and</i> treating any mental health issues are the best ways to reduce some of these risks. Treating and Managing Psoriatic Arthritis There’s no cure for psoriatic arthritis, but the right treatment regimen can help alleviate symptoms, prevent joint damage, and improve quality of life. Treatment regimens are individualized; options may include the following: ● NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil, Aleve, or Motrin ● Corticosteroids, available topically, orally, or as an injection, used in a lowest dose for a short period of time ● Oral therapies/DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) such as sulfasalazine/Azulfidine, leflunomide/Arava, or methotrexate/Trexall, apremilast/Otezla or combinations of these drugs ● Biologics such as Enbrel, Humira, Cimzia, Simponi, Remicade, Cosentyx, Taltz, Tremfya, and Stelara ● JAK inhibitors, or janus kinase inhibitors, such as Xeljanz Those who experience skin symptoms may also use additional psoriasis treatment options like topicals and phototherapy. The use of hot and cold therapies and assistive devices can help alleviate lingering psoriatic arthritis symptoms. Certain lifestyle choices can also help you manage psoriatic arthritis and related health risks: Practice Stress Management Techniques Do whatever helps you handle life’s stresses, such as mindfulness meditation, hobbies, journaling, or spending time with family. Follow an Exercise Routine Gently moving your joints can help you prevent pain. Yoga, walking, and swimming are popular choices and great places to start. Not sure what to do? See a physical therapist or personal trainer who has experience working with people with psoriatic arthritis. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats—and low in sugar, processed foods, and red meat—may help you lower inflammation and manage symptoms. Maintain a Healthy Weight Obesity contributes to inflammation in psoriatic arthritis, and so keeping your weight under control can help. Quit Smoking One study found that smokers reported worse psoriatic arthritis symptoms than nonsmokers did. Smoking is a factor you can control. Talk to your doctor about starting a smoking cessation program if you need help stopping. Sources Alinaghi, F. et al. (2019) Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and clinical studies. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. American College of Rheumatology. “Psoriatic Arthritis.” Last updated March 2019. Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis.org. Accessed October 5, 2021. Chen, M. et al. (2020) A novel treatment for psoriatic arthritis: Janus kinase inhibitors. Chinese Medical Journal. Højgaard, P. et al. (2015) Association between tobacco smoking and response to tumour necrosis factor α inhibitor treatment in psoriatic arthritis: Results from the DANBIO registry. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. National Institutes of Health. “Psoriatic Arthritis.” Last updated July 15, 2020. National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis.org. Accessed October 5, 2021. Karmacharya, P., Shahukhal, R., and Ogdie, A. (2020) Risk of Malignancy in Spondyloarthritis: A Systematic Review. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America. Orbai, A. et al. (2020) Determinants of Patient-Reported Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease: An Analysis of the Association with Sex in 458 Patients from Fourteen Countries. Arthritis Care & Research.