Overview of Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a progressive inflammatory condition of the joints and the places where tendons and ligaments attach to bones (entheses). It happens when the immune system, for unknown reasons, becomes overactive and creates inflammation, leading to pain and swelling. Most people who develop psoriatic arthritis already have psoriasis (a skin disease) when they are diagnosed, but a small group have joint pain before the skin rash. Symptoms appear in ... Psoriatic arthritis , or PsA, is a chronic, autoimmune form of arthritis that causes joint inflammation and occurs with the skin condition psoriasis. It can affect large or small joints. In less common cases where it affects the spine, it is known as a form of spondyloarthritis. About a third of people with psoriasis develop PsA. In PsA, the immune system attacks its own body, primarily the joints and skin, but also organs. Scientists believe genes and an environmental trigger, like a trauma ... Psoriatic arthritis is a seronegative spondyloarthropathy and chronic inflammatory arthritis that occurs in people with psoriasis of the skin or nails. The arthritis is often asymmetric, and some forms involve the distal interphalangeal joints. Disparity between the severity of the skin and joint involvement is common. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment involves disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Psoriatic arthritis affects about 30% of people with psoriasis and can start at any age, even affecting children. There's no cure, but treatments are available to manage symptoms and preserve joint function. Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for PsA.
