Psoriatic arthritis may be one of the most common forms of arthritis you’ve never heard of. Although it’s much less common than osteoarthritis (the age-related, “wear-and-tear” type of degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis, it can be as severe or worse than these more common conditions. While I sometimes read news articles about other types of arthritis, there’s rarely much said about psoriatic arthritis. Yet, arthritis specialists see people with this disease every day.
Psoriasis is mainly a skin disease. But roughly 10% of sufferers have this related arthritic condition. Among people with psoriatic arthritis, the condition causes inflammation of the joints as well as the skin. Psoriatic arthritis can remain mild and allow people to continue exercising and living as usual. But it can also get much worse and result in major disability.
Psoriatic arthritis can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or with medications used for rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate is among the most common and effect drugs used to treat psoriatic arthritis. In fact, it was a treatment for psoriasis before it was used to treat arthritis. Decades ago, doctors noticed that among people with psoriatic arthritis, methotrexate seemed to improve not only the skin but also the joints. Soon, it became standard therapy for psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other forms of arthritis as well.
Among the newest and most effective medications for psoriatic arthritis are the so-called biologics, drugs designed to block a protein involved in the inflammatory process. Adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), and infliximab (Remicade) are injectable medications that all approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and can lead to dramatic improvement. Cost is a major drawback: treatment with biologics can run up to $10,000 or more each year. An increased risk of infection is also a concern, although overall these medicines are generally safe.
Do you have or know anyone with psoriatic arthritis? Have you found treatments that work?
Arthritis
More than 60 million Americans are living with arthritis, and more than half of those are under 65. In fact, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in Americans older than 15—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Arthritis: Keeping your joints healthy is a special health report from Harvard Medical School that describes steps you can take to protect your joints, reduce pain, and improve mobility. The report also explains how arthritis affects the joints and other structures, how kinds of arthritis are diagnosed and treated, and how to minimize the impact of arthritis in your life.
Are you Living With Arthritis? Connect with others with similar health concerns and issues. Click here to join the group.
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Comments: 4
Sorry to hear you have psoriasis but it sounds like you have treatments that work well. That's good! Hopefully, you will remain like most people with psoriasis who only have the skin disease and not the related arthritis.
Psoriasis tends to be worse in the winter in part because the skin gets less sun with shorter days and being all bundled up. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can improve psoriasis. That's why one treatment for psoriasis is "light treatments" - people with psoriasis receive "doses" of UV light to the affected skin which is often quite effective.