WHAT IS PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS?
Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA) is an inflammatory arthritis that can develop at any age and generally occurs in approximately 10 - 30% of people with Psoriasis. It is classed as an auto-immune disease which means that rather than the immune system only attacking things in the body that are dangerous to it, such as bacteria, it also attacks healthy tissue. In PSA the immune system attacks the membrane in joints that covers the cartilage, this is called the synovium. The synovium makes the fluid that lubricates the joint space, allowing movement. When the immune system attacks inflammation occurs and the synovium membrane becomes inflamed, this causes the membrane to release more fluid than usual into the joints space and so the joint becomes tender, swollen and painful. In PSA the immune system also attacks tendons, which are fibrous tissue that attaches muscle to the bone and so they also become inflamed. Persistent inflammation of the synovium membrane and tendons can result in damage to the joint cartilage and erosion of the underlying bone. Joints can become stiff with limited movement and in severe cases the joint may fuse so it cannot be moved. The continous inflammatory response caused by the immune system attacking can also give the person affected the feeling of flu like symptoms and make them feel intensely tired and fatigued.
WHAT CAUSES PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS?
It is still not completely understood as to why people develop PSA and research so far suggests that a combination of factors is needed. There is a genetic element but this does not mean that it is definately passed from parent to child. Some genes make it more likely that a person will develop PSA, but this is not inevitable, something else has to happen to trigger the disease process, but it still not exactly clear what these triggers are.
HOW WILL MY PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AFFECT ME?
PSA affects everybody differently and some people may only have a small number of joints affected, whereas others may have a lot. Commonly though PSA presents itself asymmetrically (unlike Rheumatoid Arthritis which mainly presents itself symmetrically). Only a small percentage of people go on to develop severe widespread joint damage.
The person affected can get what is called 'Flares', which are periods of their time when their symptoms are worse, these can then subside and they can experience periods of time when their PSA is quiet and doesn't cause them any problems.
Although PSA is a chronic condition with no cure at present, there are many effective treatments now available. Because everybody's disease is different
treatment is tailored to the person's individual symptoms.
It is important to remember that with early diagnosis and the right treatment, most people diagnosed today can expect to lead normal lives with their symptoms under control.
The person affected can get what is called 'Flares', which are periods of their time when their symptoms are worse, these can then subside and they can experience periods of time when their PSA is quiet and doesn't cause them any problems.
Although PSA is a chronic condition with no cure at present, there are many effective treatments now available. Because everybody's disease is different
treatment is tailored to the person's individual symptoms.
It is important to remember that with early diagnosis and the right treatment, most people diagnosed today can expect to lead normal lives with their symptoms under control.