Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic skin condition that could eventually lead to destruction of joints if not treated properly. Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that is an autoimmune process where the body mounts to immunogenic response that result in inflammation and destruction.
It could affect any joint in the body but mainly the arms and legs. Psoriatic arthritis affects both men and women equally and can happen between the ages 25 and 50. Study has shown that about 30% of the people affected by psoriasis get psoriatic arthritis. It could happen at any age but it makes its appearance at a later stage. Early detection, diagnosis would help in treating the people and relieve them from pain and inflammation. If proper treatment is not given at the appropriate time it could potentially lead to permanent disablement or crippling.
When people get older it is natural for them to experience pain in the joints but this need not be a symptom of psoriatic arthritis. Some form of arthritis could be due to aging factor and certain form could be due to result of body’s poor immune system.
Certain combination of genes could develop psoriatic arthritis in some. No specific infection or variety of infection could trigger this disease. The symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis could be symmetrical or asymmetrical and when the skin gets thickened and discolored then the nearest joint is likely to become arthritic.
In several patients psoriasis precedes arthritis several months or years before. These inflamed joints become painful and will swell and turn red in color. Stiffness would be common in these joints and could be more during morning.
The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis could be done by performing a blood test for knowing the rheumatoid factor. This test would confirm whether the patient has psoriatic arthritis or not. Certain X-Rays could also show the damage in the joints on either side of the body. Treatment plan for patients affected by psoriatic arthritis can be designed to reduce the inflammation, reduce the pain and prevent further damage to the joints. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce the pain. Steroid injection could be administered in the affected joint. Some aggressive treatments are also administered in the form of injecting corticosteroid or gold salts when the damage is severe. In certain cases of psoriatic arthritis doctors may opt for a surgery based on the severity in the patient.
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