Effects

• Psoriatic arthritis causes painful, swollen joints that may be warm to the touch. Joints on one or both sides of the body may be affected; most commonly, a few joints on each side of the body become arthritic. The level of pain and swelling experienced tends to fluctuate over time, usually including periods of remission or near-remission. Psoriatic arthritis does not usually cause permanent damage to the joints.
  
  

Identification

• Diagnosis is made based on a combination of symptoms, physical examination and testing. There is no specific test for psoriatic arthritis; tests are primarily used to rule out other conditions that mimic psoriatic arthritis. Typically, a person with psoriatic arthritis has a history of psoriasis, swelling and pain in several joints, an elevated "sed rate" (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR), and a negative result from a rheumatoid factor test. X-rays and testing of joint fluid may also be performed to look for evidence of psoriatic arthritis and rule out a diagnosis of gout.
  
  

Types

• Psoriatic arthritis is grouped into several types, depending on the pattern of joints involved and the severity of the disease. The mildest and most common form of the illness is asymmetric psoriatic arthritis, which affects different joints on each side of the body. Symmetric psoriatic arthritis is associated with more severe psoriasis and affects at least four of the same joints on both sides of the body. Rare forms of psoriatic arthritis include the DIP predominant form, which mostly affects the first joints of the fingers and toes, psoriatic spondylitis, which affects the spine, and arthritis mutilans which causes progressive destruction of the joints and bones in the hands.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Psoriatic arthritis is typically treated with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, are frequently used to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Corticosteroids are often prescribed for short periods of time to treat an acute attack of psoriatic arthritis. Anti-malarial drugs are often used to treat psoriatic arthritis because they are quite effective and have relatively mild side effects. In severe cases, methotrexate and TNF-alpha inhibitors may be used. These drugs are very effective but can have severe side effects.
  
  

Time Frame

• Psoriatic arthritis most commonly occurs in people between 30 and 50 years old. Symptoms of psoriasis usually precede joint pain and swelling by a period of months or years, but in some cases the symptoms occur simultaneously or the arthritis occurs before the psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis, like psoriasis, is a lifelong condition with symptoms that wax and wane over time. Flare-ups may last weeks, months or years, and are followed by periods of reduced symptoms or no symptoms at all.