1. PsA Is an Autoimmune Disease
Psoriatic arthritis is
an autoimmune disease, meaning it occurs when the body’s immune system
mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, in this case the joints and skin. The faulty
immune response causes inflammation that triggers joint pain, stiffness and
swelling. The inflammation can affect the entire body and may lead to permanent
joint and tissue damage if it is not treated early and aggressively.
2.
It Has Ups and Downs, Called Flares
Many people experience frequent periods
of increased disease activity and symptoms, called flares, while others have
only infrequent flares. Symptoms can include painful, swollen joints;
stiffness; swollen fingers or toes; tendon or ligament pain; skin rashes and
nail changes; fatigue; reduced range of motion; and eye problems.
3.
It Can Be a Master of Disguise
Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis can be a
tricky process because its symptoms frequently mimic those of other forms of
inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout. It can also
be confused with osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis. For a
proper diagnosis, your doctor will conduct a physical exam, take an extensive
medical history, and run lab tests.
4.
It Has Distinguishing Features
People with PsA are almost always
rheumatoid factor (RF)-negative; if blood tests are positive for RF, the doctor
will suspect rheumatoid arthritis first. Joint pain in RA is usually
symmetrical (felt on both sides of the body), while joint pain in PsA is
usually asymmetrical (felt only on one side of the body). Swelling that
involves the full length of individual fingers or toes (dactylitis or sausage
digit) is likely caused by PsA.
5.
It Affects Up to a Third of People with Psoriasis
About 30% of people with psoriasis also
develop psoriatic arthritis. That means that a majority of people with
psoriasis do not get PsA. However, people with psoriasis could also develop
another form of arthritis, including osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
6.
It’s Gender (and Age) Neutral
Unlike many autoimmune diseases, men and
women are at equal risk for developing PsA. Age is also not a determinant:
while the disease usually appears between the ages of 30 and 55 in people who
have psoriasis, it is sometimes diagnosed during childhood.
7.
It May be Hereditary
Experts believe some people may be
predisposed to an autoimmune disease like psoriatic arthritis. In fact, studies
show a stronger genetic or family link to this particular disease than other
autoimmune rheumatic diseases. About 40% of affected individuals have at least
one close family member with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
8.
It’s Not Contagious
Psoriasis is not infectious, but the
disease might be triggered by an infection, such as strep throat. In addition
to infections, researchers believe it could be triggered in people who are
genetically more susceptible by extreme stress, an injury or an event that
makes the immune system go into overdrive.
9.
It Isn’t Just About Your Joints
PsA affects the joints but it may also
cause a range of other symptoms, including fatigue, swelling of the fingers and
toes and inflammatory eye disease, called uveitis. It also can predispose you
to heart disease, depression and metabolic disease. Although PsA can have
widespread impact on the body, a diagnosis doesn’t have to mean lifelong poor
health.
10.
You May Not Look Sick
Some symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are
quite visible – namely skin rashes. But many symptoms, such as joint pain and
fatigue, are less apparent. Living with a disease that has both subtle and
obvious symptoms can be a double-edged sword. When you don’t have any
noticeable skin lesions, friends and family might not realize how much pain
you’re in.
11.
Effective Treatment is Available
There are many over-the-counter (OTC)
and prescription treatments for psoriatic arthritis. Some treat symptoms of
both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, while others target either skin
problems or joint issues. Many can also modify the disease course by disrupting
the overactive immune system. Read more about psoriatic arthritis.
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