Overview
What is Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a lifelong or chronic disease associated with psoriasis that is caused by inflammation and pain in the joints and ligaments. Psoriatic arthritis occurs when your body's immune system attacks healthy cells and tissue.1
Psoriatic arthritis typically affects the large joints, especially those of the lower extremities, and the small joints of the fingers and toes, and can affect the spine and sacroiliac joints of the pelvis.2 Eyes, tendons, the gastrointestinal system, and nails can also be involved.2
It is uncertain what causes psoriasis, but it may be caused by genetics or environmental factors such as stress or infections. Psoriatic arthritis is also associated with several comorbidities, including obesity and metabolic disease (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular outcomes), depression, and anxiety.3
There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, but medication treatments are used to decrease or prevent flare-ups and decrease joint damage. Physical activities such as exercising and yoga can help maintain movement of the joints. Ultimately, living with psoriatic arthritis can be manageable and daily life can be durable.
How common is Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is common in 2% to 4% of Western adults. 20% to 30% of psoriasis patients will develop psoriatic arthritis.4 The disease often appears between the ages of 30 and 50 in both men and women. For many people, it starts about ten years after psoriasis develops, but some develop psoriatic arthritis first or without ever developing or noticing psoriasis.5
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- 1Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, October 2). Psoriatic arthritis. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 16, 2023 Mayo Clinic-Psoriatic Arthritis
- 2a2bPsoriatic arthritis - american college of rheumatology. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2023 Rheumatology.org
- 3Ogdie A, Coates LC, Gladman DD. Treatment guidelines in psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020 Mar 1;59(Suppl 1):i37-i46. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez383. PMID: 32159790; PMCID: PMC7065461
- 4Ocampo D V, Gladman D. Psoriatic arthritis. F1000Res. 2019 Sep 20;8:F1000 Faculty Rev-1665. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.19144.1. PMID: 31583079; PMCID: PMC6758836.
- 5National Psoriasis Foundation. (n.d.). What is psoriatic arthritis (PSA)? The National Psoriasis Foundation: National Psoriasis Foundation. Retrieved March 16, 2023 Psoriasis.org
Symptoms1, 2
What are the symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that progresses over time. The symptoms can vary from person to person. It can be mild with occasional flare-ups or, if left untreated, can cause joint or ligament damage. When symptoms occur, they can cause:
- Fatigue
- Tenderness, pain, and swelling
- Swollen fingers and toes
- Stiffness and throbbing in one or more joints
- Decreased movement of the joints
- Nail changes, such as pitting or separation from the nail bed
- Redness and pain of the eye
How is it diagnosed
There is no one test that is used to diagnose psoriatic arthritis. The diagnosis is made mostly by your doctor’s observations and by a process of elimination.2
Doctors will perform a physical exam and take a medical history. They also will order an x-ray, MRI, ultrasound, or CT scan to look for joint damage.
They also will run blood tests to assess for inflammation. Blood tests may be done to rule out other types of arthritis that have similar signs and symptoms, including gout, Lyme arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.3
These include tests for C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor (RF).4 People with psoriatic arthritis are almost always RF-negative, so if blood tests are positive for rheumatoid factor, the doctor will suspect rheumatoid arthritis.4
- 1
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, October 2). Psoriatic arthritis. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 16, 2023 Mayo Clinic-Psoriatic Arthritis
- 2a2b
National Psoriasis Foundation. (n.d.). What is psoriatic arthritis (PSA)? The National Psoriasis Foundation: National Psoriasis Foundation. Retrieved March 16, 2023 Psoriasis.org
- 3
Psoriatic arthritis - american college of rheumatology. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2023 Rheumatology.org
- 4a4b
Psoriatic arthritis: Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment: Arthritis foundation. Psoriatic Arthritis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment | Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2023 Arthritis.org
Medications
Psoriatic Arthritis
The following specialty medications are available at Accredo, a specialty pharmacy for Psoriatic Arthritis.
Copay Assistance
Navigating copay assistance programs can be overwhelming for patients, but now there is an easier way to find the help you need. Our website offers a user-friendly search feature that allows patients to quickly find copay assistance programs specific to their medication. Get Started.
Financial Guidance
Life-saving specialty medication can be expensive. Learn how the Accredo teams help individuals find ways to afford the medication they need to survive in this video.
Find Support
There are many organizations that support research and advocacy for Psoriatic Arthritis. See below for a few of those organizations.
Support Organizations
Meet the Team
Accredo’s Psoriatic Arthritis team is dedicated to serving you and we understand the complexity of your condition. Our specialty-trained clinicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer any questions.
Why We Do It
Accredo supports patients with chronic and complex conditions and helps them live their best life. Watch our video to learn why we do what we do for our patients.