psoriatic arthritis
Last reviewed 10/2023
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a synovitis which occurs:
- in individuals with psoriasis but without serum rheumatoid factor (it is
an inflammatory seronegative spondyloarthropathy) (1)
- in a person without psoriasis but with joint changes resembling those seen
in rheumatoid arthritis the relationship between the skin and joint manifestations
is unclear
- the symptoms occur simultaneously in around 15% of people with the disease
- in 60% of people the psoriasis precedes the arthritis
- in 25%, the arthritis appears first
- people with severe arthritis can have little or no skin disease, and vice
versa
- flare-ups of symptoms do not necessarily coincide (2)
Psoriatic arthritis may mimic rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
Click here for images of psoriatic arthritis
Reference:
- 1. American Academy of Dermatology 2008. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis - Section Psoriatic arthritis: Overview and guidelines of care for treatment with an emphasis on the biologic
- 2. NICE (July 2006). Etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of adults with psoriatic arthritis
- 3. Arthritis Reasearch Campaign (2009). Hands On - Psoriatic arthritis: its presentation and management in primary care.
management of psoriatic arthritis and other peripheral spondyloarthritides
referral criteria for suspected psoriatic arthritis and other peripheral spondyloarthritides