Transforming Psoriasis into Psoriatic Arthritis: Essential Facts to Understand
Alright buddy, you’ve been suffering from psoriasis and suddenly your joints are aching like a sore old man’s. You're thinking, "Is this the bloody psoriatic arthritis I’ve been warned about?"
If you're experiencing joint pain or new symptoms, it's time to consult with a rheumatologist. They won't be able to stop or prevent psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from developing, but they can help you access early treatment and improve your overall outlook.
The exact link between psoriasis (PsO) and PsA is still being researched.
Dr. Stan Cohen, a board-certified rheumatologist and expert in his field, says, "At this point, we have no tools to predict who will develop psoriatic arthritis [of those] who have psoriasis.", further adding, "Studies are ongoing to try to determine if there are any genetic or underlying differences in the immune system in patients who have psoriasis or who have psoriatic arthritis and potentially may identify differences."
Let's dive into the relationship between these conditions, risk factors, early signs, and prevention.
Incidence of both PsO and PsA
If you're dealing with psoriasis, know you're not alone in this fight. You're among an estimated 7.5 million to more than 8 million Americans, and over 125 million worldwide, making up 2 to 3 percent of the total world population.
The most common type, plaque psoriasis, affects nearly 80 percent of those living with psoriasis. If you're one of the 8 million suffering from psoriasis, about 1 in 3 of you may develop PsA.
Risk factors
Here are key risk factors that could increase your chances of developing PsA:
- Living with psoriasis
- Severe psoriasis
- Having a family history of at least one of the diseases
- HLA-B gene mutations
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking or being a smoker
- Drinking alcohol
- Stress and stressful life events
- Certain infections
- Living with HIV
- Developing PsA at an older age (most people develop it between the ages of 30 and 50)
Early signs of PsA
While you should not worry about every ache and pain, be aware of the following common symptoms of PsA:
- Fatigue
- Stiffness and tiredness in the morning
- Swelling, pain, and tenderness in the tendons
- Swollen “sausage-like” fingers or toes
- Changes in your nails, like pitting
- Pain and redness in one or both eyes
- Reduced range of motion in one or more joints
Early detection and treatment can help prevent long-term joint damage. Be sure to maintain regular dermatology appointments and alert your dermatologist to any joint pain or swelling.
Prevention
Researchers haven't found a way to prevent PsA yet. There are no treatments for psoriasis that will block or stop PsA from developing. Adopting a healthier lifestyle and properly managing your psoriasis symptoms can help find relief from psoriasis and potentially help reduce the impact of PsA.
Treatment
Common treatments for both psoriasis and PsA include:
- Topical preparations
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroids
- Nonbiologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Biologic DMARDs
- Lifestyle interventions
PsA may be treated with immunosuppressants to reduce inflammation.
- Given your current psoriasis condition and the sudden joint pain, it might be psoriatic arthritis, a condition that could potentially develop in one out of three people living with psoriasis.
- If you find yourself experiencing joint pain or new symptoms, it's crucial to seek consultation with a rheumatologist for early treatment and improvement of your outlook, even though they can't prevent or stop psoriatic arthritis from developing.
- Living in the southwestern region might not predict who will develop psoriatic arthritis, asDr. Stan Cohen, a renowned rheumatologist, has mentioned that there are currently no tools to foresee this condition among those who have psoriasis.
- Maintaining a healthier lifestyle and properly managing psoriasis symptoms could help find relief from psoriasis and potentially reduce the impact of psoriatic arthritis, although current research has yet to find a way to prevent it.
