Psoriasis is a terrible disease by itself. It is a skin condition that causes red, scaly, and itchy patches on the skin. These patches are usually found on the elbows, knees, and scalp. But in psoriatic arthritis, there are additional symptoms affecting patients. Besides the skin lesions, the joints nearby these patches can become inflamed and painful.
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease and can be difficult to manage. It can be difficult to diagnose, too. But in this article, we will give you an overview of everything patients need to know about psoriatic arthritis, the diagnostic process, and more.
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that affects the joints and can cause stiffness and swelling. This autoimmune condition is most common in people between the ages of 33 and 55, but it can also occur in children.
When psoriatic arthritis is severe, it can cause permanent damage to the joints. About a quarter of people with the condition experience joint erosion, which occurs when a reduction of the space in the joint lining leads to bone destruction. In some cases, patients can even experience joint fusion, which occurs when two bones in the joint fuse together. And even if this doesn’t happen, joints can be severely damaged or destroyed in the process.
Some doctors believe that psoriatic arthritis is a type of systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disorder that can affect many of the body’s organs. In any case, these entities have many things in common, including skin lesions, joint manifestations, and chronic inflammation.