Psoriatic Arthritis
Medical Author:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Medical Editor:
Catherine Burt Driver, MD
Catherine Burt Driver, MDCatherine Burt Driver, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Driver is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. She currently is in active practice in the field of rheumatology in Mission Viejo, Calif., where she is a partner in Mission Internal Medical Group.
Psoriatic Arthritis OverviewPsoriatic arthritis is a condition in which a person has both psoriasis and a related form of arthritis. Psoriasis is a common skin condition. A person with psoriasis typically has patches of raised red skin with scales. The affected skin can look different depending on the type of psoriasis the individual has. Arthritis is joint inflammation. Psoriatic arthritis is a particular type of aggressive and potentially destructive, inflammatory arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your cells and antibodies (part of your immune system) attack your own tissues. Rarely, a person can have psoriatic arthritis without having obvious psoriasis. Usually, the more severe the skin symptoms are, the greater the likelihood a person will have psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis affects 2.5% of white people in North America. It is less common in African-American and Native-American people. Psoriatic arthritis affects approximately 15% of people with psoriasis. A recent survey by the National Psoriasis Foundation indicated that approximately 1 million people in the United States have psoriatic arthritis. Many people who have psoriasis may not know that they have psoriatic arthritis. Males and females are equally likely to have psoriasis. Of patients with psoriatic arthritis, males are more likely to have the form in which the spine is affected (spondylitic form), and females are more likely to have the form in which many joints on both sides of the body are involved (rheumatoid form). Psoriatic arthritis usually develops in people 35-55 years of age. However, it can develop in people of almost any age. Viewer Comments & ReviewsPsoriatic Arthritis - Describe Your ExperienceThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:Please describe your experience with psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic Arthritis - TreatmentThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What treatment did you receive for psoriatic arthritis? |
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Psoriatic Arthritis
Nail Psoriasis Overview
Psoriasis is a common chronic condition of the skin. A person with psoriasis typically has patches of raised, red skin with silvery scales. The affected skin may look shiny and red or even have pustules, depending on the type of psoriasis the individual has. These skin changes usually occur on the elbows, knees, scalp, and trunk. In the United States, about 7 million people (2%-3% of people) have psoriasis. About 150,000-260,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Psoriasis can also affect the fingernails and toenails, causing pitting and thickening and irregular contour of the nail.
Most people who have psoriasis of the nails also have skin psoriasis (cutaneous psoriasis). Only 5% of people with psoriasis of the nails do not have skin psoriasis. In people who have skin psoriasis, 10%-55% have psoriasis of the nails (also called psoriatic nail disease). About 10%-20% of people who have skin psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis, a specifi...
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In 1964, the American Rheumatism Association listed psoriatic arthritis as a clinical entity.
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