What is Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment?
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that causes patches of thick, red, flaky skin. With psoriatic arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joints and connect tissues. This can lead to painful swelling and stiffness.
Causes and Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment
While the exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown, experts believe that genetics plays a role. Those who have a family history of psoriasis or arthritis have a higher risk. The disease occurs when a combination of genetic and environmental factors trigger the immune system to cause inflammation. Men and women can both develop it, but symptoms typically appear between the ages of 30 and 50.
Link Between Psoriasis and Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment arises from the same faulty immune system responses that cause psoriasis. In both conditions, certain types of white blood cells, called T cells, coordinate an inflammatory attack on healthy tissues. Specifically, T cells release proteins called cytokines that signal other immune cells to travel to the skin or joints and trigger more inflammation. These misdirected attacks lead to the red, scaly skin patches of psoriasis and the painful swelling of psoriatic arthritis. Having psoriasis makes someone more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis, but not everyone with psoriasis will experience joint symptoms.
Common Symptoms
The most common joint symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include pain, stiffness, and swelling at the ends or sides of bones. Specific joints that are commonly involved are the fingers, spine, hips, knees and feet. Joints may also feel warm to the touch. Symptoms often come and go or change from one joint or area to another. Fingernails and toenails may also be affected, becoming pitted or ridged. Fatigue is a frequent complaint.
Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis
Seeing a dermatologist or rheumatologist is important for diagnosing psoriatic arthritis. A physical exam will assess affected joints and skin changes. X-rays may help rule out other joint conditions. Blood tests are also commonly used to check for rheumatoid factor or other markers of inflammation. If symptoms and medical history align with the disease, a definite diagnosis can usually be made without a biopsy. Early detection is important to prevent joint damage from progression of the disease.
Treatment Options
While there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, various treatment approaches can help control symptoms and limit joint damage over time. Lifestyle strategies like stress management and gentle exercise may provide mild relief. Over-the-counter pain relievers are not usually strong enough. Prescription medications are the mainstay of treatment and fall into several categories:
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate work to reduce inflammation throughout the body. They are often the first choice.
Biologics, including medications that specifically target tumor necrosis factor (TNF), are highly effective in many cases. Injectable options include Enbrel, Humira and Remicade.
Newer biologics called IL-17 inhibitors, such as Cosentyx and Taltz, show promise for treating both skin and joint aspects.
Oral medicines including Xeljanz and Otezla are also options.
Short term use of oral corticosteroids may help relieve severe flares.
Successful treatment requires partnering with a specialist to find the right medication approach based on each person's symptoms, health, lifestyle and other factors. With appropriate long-term care, psoriatic arthritis can often be managed well.
When psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed early and treated aggressively with DMARDs or biologics, the long-term prognosis is generally quite good. However, if the condition continues unchecked over time without treatment, it can potentially cause irreversible joint damage like loss of cartilage. Other possible complications can include bone spurs around joints and deformity or fusing of spinal bones in the neck and lower back, leading to restricted mobility. By making psoriatic arthritis control a priority, these outcomes are usually preventable for most people. Regular check-ups help monitor the disease trajectory and adjust medications if needed to maintain remission and joint health.
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Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)
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