Psoriatic Arthritis

When your skin cells mature in 3-4 days, which is quite earlier than they should (28-30 days), a lesion like structure is formed at the surface indicating the possibility of psoriasis. Frequently found on knees, scalp and elbows, Psoriasis- the chronic skin disease affecting skin, scalp, knees and joints- occasionally spreads all over the body, producing many scaly and rough rashes all over.

In 5-10% of cases affected by psoriasis, arthritis follows. When majority of these cases are properly examined it is understood that arthritis follows psoriasis in passage of few years time. Primarily, this usually distresses the joints where the fingers end whereas chances for this disease affecting the knees, ankles and the wrists are quite likewise. This condition is quite followed by fungal infections in nails and toes like what one can see in the case of reactive arthritis. Sometimes, a small pit in the nails may develop into a huge problem thus destructing the total section as in the case of the type of arthritis mentioned above.

Psoriatic spondylitis commonly known as spinal involvement is an abnormality, which is found in 20% of people who acquire PsA. Nothing can be concretely mentioned with regards to this abnormality as sometimes it may result in a complete fusion( found in ankylosing spondylitis) or affect only particular areas that are not involved with the neck and the lower back. Persons who have such abnormality will perhaps test positive when diagnosed for the HLA-B27 genetic marker.

Psoriatic Arthritis Mutilans, regarded as the rarely found irregularity wreaks severe havoc.  Only 5% of those affected by psoriatic arthritis are prone to develop this severe form of arthritis linked to psoriasis. Capable of causing a terrible destruction to joints, it is especially known for a syndrome called telescoping fingers which may not only affect human hands but feet as well.

Does a cure exist?

Though as of now no cure is rightly obtainable, one can do enough to control the symptoms and manage the pain induced by PsA. To know more feel fee to visit our PsA Treatment and Medications sections.

What Causes Psoriatic Arthritis

Yet again what causes PsA remains obscure however heredity is regarded as an important factor playing an important role. Studies reveal that around 40% of the affected lot have somebody with the same disease as a close relative. Additionally, if an identical twin acquired this, chances up to 75% are there for the other one to develop this.

Disease Course / Prognosis

The medical process of prognosis varies from one to another as this disorder takes different type in many instances. (Look above). For instance a person who is found to be to HLA-B27 is quite likely to develop the spine involvement disorder as well.

What adds more chaos is that the intensity of these rashes needn’t quite reflect the intensity of arthritis. On the similar lines, the skin condition and arthritis needn’t happen simultaneously.

More Information

You’re asked to visit the sections that follow to get further information. Treatment of PsA and PsA Medications PsA Symptoms, Diagnosis. Quite a number of educational articles on ankylosing spondylitis and diseases associated with it are on offer. Click here to have a look at them.