Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints that coexists in the course of psoriasis. We have 20-30 percent of it. people with psoriasis. The disease usually begins between the ages of 30 and 55, but it can also occur in children.

Psoriatic arthritiscan accompany various types of psoriasis. Usually, however, it is psoriasis vulgaris. Psoriasis precedes psoriatic arthritis in about 68 percent of patients. However, in the remaining cases, arthritis appears first, and then psoriasis (even several years after the onset of arthritis). In some patients, skin and joint changes begin more or less at the same time.

What characterizes psoriatic arthritis?

The course of articular psoriasis is independent of skin psoriasis. Sometimes the patient may only have psoriasis of the nails in a very severe course of psoriatic arthritis. Therefore,articular psoriasisshould be treated independently of skin psoriasis.Psoriatic arthritis(tear) may be confused with rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis). However, here is what distinguishes it from Rzs:

  • the disease often affects only one side (inflammation of only one joint or asymmetrical inflammation of several joints)
  • lack of rheumatoid factor in the blood
  • no rheumatoid nodules
  • history of psoriasis in the patient or in the family

Psoriasis affects the joints of the limbs

Articular psoriasismost often affects the joints of the upper and lower extremities - interphalangeal, knee, ankle. A large number of patients also have articular changes in the sacroiliac region and in the spine. There are five types of psoriatic arthritis:

  1. interphalangeal arthritis
  2. symmetrical polyarthritis (resembling rash, in some cases almost indistinguishable)
  3. inflammation of one joint or asymmetrical polyarthritis
  4. distortingarticular psoriasishands and feet
  5. inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and / or spine

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis

Most characteristic symptoms of psoriatic arthritisto:

  • joint pain
  • red and swollen joints caused by fluid build-up
  • joint stiffness
  • finger distortion
  • very painful inflammation of tendon attachments (enthesopathy)
  • skin changes
  • nail changes
  • changes in attitude

Note: the initial course of the disease may be acute, with high fever.

Treatment of psoriatic arthritis

In the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, it is very important to have a prompt and correct diagnosis, otherwise the disease will progress. Ideally,psoriatic arthritisshould be diagnosed by a dermatologist and rheumatologist at the same time. Psoriasis is a chronic disease, like psoriasis, and therefore requires constant specialist medical supervision. Treatment consists of inhibiting inflammation, relieving pain, preventing further joint degeneration, and maintaining mobility.

The therapy includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, kinesitherapy, physical therapy, biological drugs (infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept). In more severe cases, surgery is indicated. There are still ongoing research studies on the registration of more biological drugs, which seem very promising.

Category:

Spine, bones, joints