Psoriatic Arthritis
Overview
Causes
Psoriatic arthritis is caused by a problem with the immune system. It beings to attack healthy tissue. It is not known why this happens. Genes and the environment may play a role.
Risk Factors
This problem is most common in people who are 30 to 50 years of age. It is also more common in people who have psoriasis. However, not everyone with psoriasis will get this problem.
Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Having other family members with this problem
- Certain genetic factors
- Recent trauma, such as a joint injury
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Problems may be:
- Pain and swelling in one or more joints
- Joint stiffness, especially in the morning
- Red or warm joints
- Pain and swelling over tendons
- Swelling of the fingers or toes
- Nail changes, such as pitting, crumbling, or separating from the nail bed
- Back pain
- Lack of energy
- Redness and pain of the eye
Treatments
Treatment
There is no cure. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and slow joint damage. Options are:
- Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly
- Medicines to ease pain and swelling, such as:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Steroid medicine
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors
People who are not helped by these methods may need surgery. It may be done to repair or replace a damaged joint.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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