Psoriatic Arthritis

1. Psoriatic Arthritis Pictures
2. Adult Skin Problems Slideshow

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. 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.

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Medical Editor:

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine 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.

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• Psoriatic Arthritis Overview
• Psoriatic Arthritis Causes
• Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms and Signs
• Types of Psoriatic Arthritis
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Questions to Ask the Doctor About Psoriatic Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosis
• Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment
• Psoriatic Arthritis Self-Care at Home
• Psoriatic Arthritis Medical Treatment
• Topical Psoriatic Arthritis Medications
• Systemic Psoriatic Arthritis Medications
• Psoriatic Arthritis Surgery
• Other Therapy for Psoriatic Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis Follow-up
• Psoriatic Arthritis Prevention
• Psoriatic Arthritis Prognosis
• Support Groups and Counseling
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Psoriatic Arthritis Pictures
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Psoriatic Arthritis from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Psoriatic Arthritis - Describe Your Experience
• Viewer Comments: Psoriatic Arthritis - Treatment

Psoriatic 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.

Picture of severe psoriatic arthritis involving the finger joints

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 to 55 years of age. However, it can develop in people of almost any age.

The cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known. It may result from a combination of genetic (family), environmental, and immune factors. About 40% of people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis have a close relative with the condition. Some cases of psoriasis may be linked to infections.

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