Understanding Psoriatic Arthritis: A Breakdown of Its Five Distinct Types
Your Uncensored, Open-Minded Guide to Understanding Psoriatic Arthritis
Wanna learn about the five types of psoriatic arthritis (PsA)? This nasty combo of skin and joint issues shares a link with psoriasis, but it's far from the same story. Let's dive in and uncover these beasties, their symptoms, and the methods to tame the havoc they wreak.
What the Hells is Psoriatic Arthritis? (PsA) is a type of arthritis that hisses and spits at around 20-30% of psoriasis-suffering folks. Don't mistake it for the main event – PsA is a whole new game with its own lineup of nasties.
PsA comes in five flavors, each with their own devilish quirks. Let's put a finger on each one and learn who they are.
Flavor #1 – Asymmetric PsA
The most dominant type of PsA (60% market share), Asymmetric PsA is a crafty little sucker. Unlike its name suggests, it target’s joints individually, meaning symptoms may be minimal in one joint while your other limbs are cranky as hell. Curious fact: studies reveal this type is more common in men.
Spotting it
- Knackered
- Blurry vision
- Swollen fingers and toes
- Nail issues: pitting, cracking, and detachment
- Swollen, stiff, or painful joints
- Ligament and tendon pain
Treating it
There's no cure for PsA, but we can help you fight the good fight. Your doctor can suggest treatments, be it physical or occupational therapy, corticosteroids, biologic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or joint injections.
Flavor #2 – Symmetric PsA
Love sees both sides in relationships, and symmetric PsA is no exception. Symptoms tend to appear on both sides of the body, stuck-up as always. Women are more likely to indulge in this flavor.
Spotting it
Symmetric PsA favors smaller joints such as fingers and toes and often shares symptoms with Asymmetric PsA. However, it can sometimes be mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), so a handy blood test can set your mind at ease.
Treating it
Treatments are similar to those for Asymmetric PsA – personalized based on factors such as age, weight, mobility, and pain level.
PsA PSA: Butt out – smoking cigarettes can make your PsA symptoms a bitch and reduce the positive effects of treatment.
Flavor #3 – DIP PsA
Responsible for about 10% of PsA cases, Distal Interphalangeal Predominant (DIP) PsA targets the fingertips and toes, often causing joint swelling and nail problems like pitting, white spots, or cracking.
Spotting it
Swollen fingers or toesLigament and tendon painReduced range of motionJoint stiffness in your fingers or toes
Treating it
Your doc might suggest NSAIDs or corticosteroid injections for those mild inflammation and discomfort cases. For more severe flare-ups, medications such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors may be needed.
For temporary relief, some DIY tips and tricks can help:
- Cold therapy (up to 10 minutes with an ice pack)
- Proper nail care (avoid trimming cuticles, nail polish, and keep 'em moisturized)
- Soaking treatments (warm water bath, but don't overdo it)
- Staying dry (gently pat your skin dry after showers and opt for moisture-wicking socks)
- Physical therapy
Always remember to collaborate with your doc before trying any home remedies.
Flavor #4 – Spondylitis PsA
Spondylitis PsA – yup, it's all about the spine, bitch. This type of PsA affects 7-32% of sufferers and loves to play in the joints between the vertebrae, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling in the neck and back.
Spotting it
Spondylitis PsA manages to creep into other areas of the body too, such as the:
- Feet
- Hips
- Arms
- Legs
- Hands
Treating it
Treatments for Spondylitis PsA can include NSAIDs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, immunosuppressants, sulfasalazine, biologic medications, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Flavor #5 – PsA Mutilans
PsA Mutilans is an aggressive form of PsA, affecting a mere 5% of suffers. Characterized by extreme inflammation and joint damage, it primarily causes severe pain in the hands, feet, or wrists.
Spotting it
PsA Mutilans can be nasty, producing:
- Extreme inflammation
- Joint deformities
- Bone loss in affected joints
- Reduced movement or limited range of motion
- Pain that radiates to other body areas
Treating it
PsA Mutilans is a progressive condition – it gets worse over time – so it's crucial to tackle symptoms early on. Treatments can include anti-TNF inhibitors, DMARDs, biologic medications, and – in extreme cases – surgery.
- Despite being associated with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a unique and distinct medical condition that affects around 20-30% of people suffering from psoriasis.
- Among the five types of PsA, Asymmetric PsA is the most dominant (accounting for 60% of cases), targeting joints individually and primarily affecting men more often than women.
- Sufferers of symmetric PsA, on the other hand, are more likely to be women, as this type of PsA causes symptoms on both sides of the body and tends to favor smaller joints such as fingers and toes.
- Distal Interphalangeal Predominant (DIP) PsA, affecting around 10% of PsA cases, specifically targets the fingertips and toes, leading to joint swelling and nail problems.
- Spondylitis PsA primarily affects the spine, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling in the neck and back, while PsA Mutilans is an aggressive form of the disease, causing severe pain, joint deformities, and limited range of motion, primarily in the hands, feet, or wrists. In chronic health and wellness, understanding the different types of PsA and their symptoms is essential in starting proper treatment and skin-care regimens to manage this chronic disease effectively.
