Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is psoriatic arthritis?
- How common is this disease?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
- Pain in the leg
- Swollen fingers
- Damage to the nails of the fingers and toes
- Lower back pain
- When to see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes psoriatic arthritis?
- What are the risk factors that allow a person to develop psoriasis arthritis?
- Diagnosis & treatment
- How do doctors diagnose this disease?
- What are the drug and treatment options for psoriatic arthritis?
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Corticosteroids
- Joint replacement surgery
- Home care
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies for psoriasis arthritis?
Definition
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis or psoriatic arthritis (PSA) is a form of arthritis (inflammation of the joints) that occurs in people who have psoriasis. Psoriasis itself is a chronic disease characterized by thickening of the skin, which is reddish, dry, and scaly.
Most PSA sufferers develop psoriasis first and are then diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. But sometimes, joint problems can occur before psoriasis symptoms appear. In rare cases, a person has psoriatic arthritis, but never has visible signs of psoriasis on the skin.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect joints in any part of the body. However, this disease more often affects the joints in the knees, ankles, hands, feet, fingers, toes, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck and back.
How common is this disease?
Psoriatic arthritis is a common form of arthritis, although it is not as common as other types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis or gout.
Reporting from the National Psoriasis Foundation, about 30% of patients with psoriasis will experience psoriatic arthritis. This disease can start at any age, including children.
However, PSA is often diagnosed between the ages of 30-50 years. Symptoms often appear 5-10 years after psoriasis symptoms appear. In terms of gender, men and women are equally likely to suffer from this disease.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that can get worse over time. Symptoms of this disease generally come and go, which can get better and worse over a period of time.
The severity of symptoms for each sufferer can vary, from mild to severe. Some people may experience symptoms in various joints, but some people only experience symptoms in one or two joints.
The signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are often similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis. This is because the main symptoms of the two diseases are the same, namely pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. Pain and stiffness in the joints are generally worse in the morning and can last more than 30 minutes.
However, joint pain in PSA can be asymmetrical. This means that the knee on the right side may be painful, but the knee on the left may not. In addition, to distinguish between them, here are various typical signs and symptoms of psoriasis arthritis that generally occur:
Psoriatic arthritis can also cause inflammation and pain in one or more entheses, which are areas of the body where tendons and ligaments attach to bones, especially in the back of the heel or the sole of the foot. This condition is also known as enthesitis.
Sometimes, psoriatic arthritis causes swelling of the fingers and toes. This swelling generally occurs in one finger as a whole, and can be painful to bend. This condition is also called dactylitis.
Generally, a person with PSA is aware of swelling and deformity in their hands and feet before experiencing other significant joint symptoms.
Apart from swelling of the fingers, PSA also often causes damage to the nails. The nails on the fingers and toes may become cracked, have white spots, or even lift or come off. This condition is often referred to as nail disease.
Some people with PSA may experience symptoms of spondylitis, which is inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae and the joints between the vertebrae and the pelvis (sacroilitis). This condition causes pain in your lower back.
In addition to some of the typical symptoms above, psoriasis arthritis can also cause other symptoms and signs, namely:
- Reduced range of motion.
- The feeling of severe fatigue that doesn't go away with rest.
- Mild fever.
- Inflammation of the eye or uveitis that causes red, painful eyes as well as blurred vision and sensitivity to light.
When to see a doctor?
If you feel that you experience the symptoms above, especially if they occur continuously and do not go away, you should immediately see a doctor for an examination. If not treated immediately, PSA can cause severe joint damage.
If you have psoriasis, you should have regular check-ups with your doctor at least once a year to monitor your condition. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have joint problems.
Cause
What causes psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis are autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks normal healthy cells and tissues. The wrong mechanism of action of the immune system causes the overproduction of skin cells and inflammation of the joints.
However, the cause of the immune system to attack these healthy body cells is not certain. However, experts believe, the main causes of psoriasis arthritis are related to genetic and environmental factors.
What are the risk factors that allow a person to develop psoriasis arthritis?
Although the cause is not known for sure, several factors are said to increase a person's risk of developing this disease. The risk factors for psoriatic arthritis are:
- History of psoriasis.
- Family history of PSA.
- Middle age or 30-50 years.
- Bacterial or viral infection.
- Stress.
- Physical injury or injury.
- Obesity.
- Smoking habit.
Diagnosis & treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How do doctors diagnose this disease?
The doctor will diagnose psoriasis arthritis by the symptoms that appear. To confirm these symptoms, the doctor will perform a physical examination of the area of the joint that is generally affected.
After that, the doctor will perform several tests to confirm the diagnosis. Indeed, there is no single test that can confirm a diagnosis of PSA. However, some of these tests are needed to make sure that your symptoms are not related to other symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatism) or gout.
Common tests performed to diagnose psoriasis arthritis are:
- Imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI to detect any changes in your joints.
- Rheumatoid factor test (RF) to check whether there are antibodies commonly found in people with rheumatism.
- A joint fluid test to detect if uric acid crystals are formed which are a hallmark of gout disease.
What are the drug and treatment options for psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that cannot be completely cured. The goal of treating psoriasis arthritis is to relieve symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse.
The treatment given for people with PSA can vary, depending on the severity of the symptoms experienced. Some of the common treatment options for psoriasis arthritis include:
Biologic agents is a newer type of DMARD drug. The way this drug works is by targeting certain parts of the immune system that trigger inflammation and damage to the joints.
Drug biologic agents which are often used to treat PSA are adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, and others. Generally, the use of this drug can be combined with DMARDs and methotrexate drugs. Even so, medicine biologic agents can increase the chance of blockage of the blood vessels.
Corticosteoid medications can help reduce pain and swelling due to joint inflammation due to PSA. This type of drug can be given as a tablet or injection directly into the affected joint, especially if only one area of the joint is inflamed.
Steroid injection procedures can provide quick relief of inflammation and pain. This type of treatment is generally given when other medicines are not effective at relieving symptoms of PSA.
The surgical procedure for PSA is generally performed by replacing the damaged joint with an artificial prosthesis made of plastic metal. However, this treatment is generally only used when your joints have been severely damaged and other medications are not effective at relieving symptoms.
Home care
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies for psoriasis arthritis?
Apart from medical treatment from a doctor, alternative and home remedies and lifestyle changes can help you deal with this disease. Here are home remedies and lifestyle changes you can try to help treat psoriasis arthritis:
- Maintain an ideal body weight by limiting high-calorie foods and increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- A warm compress to the affected joint to reduce pain and stiffness, or a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Apply aloe vera gel to soothe the skin from soreness and redness.
- Reduce and control stress.
- Exercise routines, such as walking, swimming and cycling.
- Quit smoking and consuming too much alcohol.
- Try alternative remedies, such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, yoga, or tai chi, to reduce stress and help relieve symptoms.
- Use herbal remedies for psoriasis arthritis, such as turmeric, apple cider vinegar, ginger, chili, or fish oil.
Although it can be done easily at home, you should first consult with your doctor about the treatment above, especially for sports, alternative medicine, and herbal medicine. The reason is, some sports, especially strenuous ones, can add to the burden on your joints.
In addition, certain herbal medicines can actually cause side effects or interact with certain drugs, including the PSA drug that you are taking. Consult with your doctor about these possibilities.
